People and Payroll Services Lead

Description

Your new company

Location: Bicester (1-2 days working on-site)

Salary: 58,000 - 64,750

Contract: 12-month Fixed-Term Contract (potential to become permanent)

We are partnering with a large and complex public sector organisation undergoing a significant transformation within its People Services function. As part of a recent restructure, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Payroll & People Services Lead to play a key role in shaping and delivering a high-performing, compliant, and customer-focused service.

In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely payment of salaries, pensions, and expenses across the organisation. You will oversee the performance of the outsourced payroll provider, acting as the primary point of accountability for service delivery, quality, and compliance.

Acting as the organisation's internal subject-matter expert, you will provide both strategic direction and operational oversight. You will lead on strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing controls, and driving continuous improvement to ensure a resilient and efficient payroll and people services function.

Your new role

Lead a timely, accurate and customer-focused payroll and people services functionManage the outsourced payroll contract, monitoring KPIs, SLAs, service reviews and escalation processesEnsure accurate and timely payment of salaries, expenses and all pay elementsOversee payroll and pension activity including starters, leavers, contractual changes, absence and family leaveApprove salary corrections and advancesEnsure compliance with statutory requirements and organisational policiesAct as organisational lead for HR and payroll systems (e.g. HRIS, expenses, payslip systems)Ensure data integrity through audits, reconciliations and exception managementLead system improvements, user training and system updatesProduce payroll reporting, support audits and manage financial risk in partnership with FinanceProvide expert advice on pay, tax, National Insurance, pensions and employment legislationSupport organisational change through accurate costing and workforce insightBuild strong relationships with managers, employee representatives, external providers and key stakeholdersLead and develop the People Services team, ensuring high performance, resilience and service qualityWhat you'll need to succeed

Professional payroll qualification with significant post-qualification experienceCIPP Qualified with significant post-qualification experienceCIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People ManagementPRINCE2 Qualification would be desirableDetailed knowledge of payroll legislation, including tax, National Insurance, statutory payments and deductionsStrong understanding of audit requirements and financial controlsExtensive experience managing end-to-end payroll operationsExpert knowledge of terms and conditions, pay frameworks, allowances and deductionsKnowledge of pension schemes and associated regulationsWhat you'll get in return

Comprehensive training programme with access to locally delivered coursesSalary: 57,000 - 64,000Flexible working Generous annual leave starting at 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years, plus 8 public holidays Pension scheme with automatic enrolment and employer contributionsOngoing opportunities for continuous professional development and career progressionAccess to Occupational Health servicesEmployee Assistance Programme for well-being supportDedicated health and well-being initiativesEmployee discounts across travel, retail, leisure, dining and moreAccess to employee networks and inclusion groups as a member, ally or participantIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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Ad ID: 5418393970