Payroll Advisor

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Payroll Advisor to lead our end-to-end payroll service, ensuring every colleague across our Trust is paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Working within our central HR Shared Services function, the successful candidate will manage the relationship with our external payroll provider and respond to complex payroll, pension, and salary queries from colleagues across the Trust. The role requires demonstrable experience in payroll management, reconciliation, validation, authorisation, audits, and year-end processes. They will combine strong numerical, analytical and IT skills with excellent relationship management both internally and externally. Reporting to the HR Operations Manager and line managing the Payroll Assistant, they will build capacity, resilience, and high standards within the payroll function. Working closely with both the HR and Finance Shared Services Teams, the Payroll Advisor will undertake work specific to the education sector, including supporting the timely submission of the School Workforce Census (SWC) and the accurate administration and reconciliation of Teachers’ Pensions (TPS) and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). They will ensure working with our third party payroll provider that statutory payments, auto-enrolment duties and HMRC requirements are met, maintaining clear audit trails across multiple academies. The successful candidate will be committed to delivering an excellent customer experience, with the confidence to challenge data and resolve anomalies. They will strengthen controls and streamline processes, so our payroll service remains robust, responsive, and fit for purpose in a busy, people-centred education environment.