Payroll Manager

Permanent
Headquarters/Hybrid
F
£38,356 - £46,017
Closing date
30/05/2022, 10:00
All Hours required
Full-Time - 37 Hours

You will work closely with the HR Transformation Programme, identifying opportunities to create new ways of working whilst maintaining a consistent provision of professional services keeping positive outcomes for our people at the centre of what we do. 

 

A proactive payroll service is the cornerstone of employee reward and payroll provision will play an important role in achieving this goal, ensuring that we pay people accurately and timeously. 

 

The journey of HR transformation will see payroll moving away from a heavily data input related role to a service that has better systems integration between HR and payroll applications, allowing for improved process automation.  The focus will be on proactively addressing and resolving any pay and pension issues timeously, whilst keeping the employee informed, leading to an overall better employee experience.

 

SPS currently have a semi managed payroll service in partnership with an external partner organisation.  The partner organisation hosts the payroll database and performs the back office payroll activities with the SPS team dealing with the payroll input, reconciliation and sign off activities.  You will manage a team of payroll specialists and administrators, responsible for: 

 

·       the accurate monthly salary payments for SPS staff and management of the external payroll contract;

·       acting as the local contact point for pension queries and liaising with the Pension Administrator to ensure pensions are processed correctly; and

·       supporting colleagues who are relocating their home following a move to a new establishment.

 

Responsibilities
Manage the team.  Ensure team members are fully trained and that appropriate processes are in place to achieve excellent customer service.  This will involve monthly team meetings and monthly business meetings with agreed actions.  A commitment to professional development is required and team members will be encouraged to gain relevant qualifications.
Pay monthly salaries.  Ensure the accurate and timeous payment of monthly salary payments and third party pay related items.  Reconcile monthly payroll and complete Year End and other finance processes to ensure compliance with the finance manual.  Ensure processes are in place and followed to prevent fraud or errors.
Manage SPS’ relationship with external stakeholders, for example the payroll provider to ensure accurate payroll processing and Pensions Administrator ensuring all of the SPS’ pension scheme requirements are met.  Manage the relationship with internal stakeholders, such as HR teams and SPS staff on the matters of pay, pensions and relocation, ensuring all necessary updates are provided clearly and timeously.
Ensure robust management systems are in place to protect the services the team provide, for example, a regularly tested Business Continuity Plan and regularly updated Risk Register.  Ensure all business processes, for example the recovery of overpayments, are robustly managed.  Respond appropriately to audit recommendations.
Manage complex pay and pensions related issues.  Contribute to the development of pay policy and respond to correspondence and FOI requests from a wide variety of sources on pay, pensions and relocations matters. 
Support the development of improvements in service.  Working closely with the Business Improvement Team and other stakeholders identify and deliver new and improved methods of working.
Person Specification

SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Behavioural Competency Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are twelve, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them , you will be assessed on these identified as key to role.

Qualifications Requirements

Payroll or Pensions qualification or alternatively a qualification in finance or contract management (for example a Foundation degree in Payroll Management or a Certificate in Pensions Administration).

DESIRABLE

Experience Requirements

Previous experience of managing a service delivery team, delivering a consistently high level of customer service that incorporates robust mechanisms of control and governance to prevent errors or irregularities, whilst complying with regulations.

ESSENTIAL

Previous experience of managing an account with an external partner to ensure that services are delivered on time and to the required standard. 

DESIRABLE

Previous experience of driving forward changes and improvements to processes/ways of working that deliver solutions to improve efficiency and customer service. This requires an ability to analyse problems, listen to the views of team members and stakeholders and deliver improvements.

ESSENTIAL

Knowledge Skills Requirements

Managing People

You must be able to achieve impressive results through the combined performance of the team through successful coaching and management in an inclusive way. Effective communication, support, professional development and performance management will be essential to achieve this.

ESSENTIAL

Planning, Implementation and Control

Proven ability of working successfully to varied deadlines whilst working at pace, maintaining accuracy and ensuring that all processes are robustly adhered to. You will have the ability to forward plan, analyse problems and deliver solutions.

ESSENTIAL

Communication Skills

You will be able to communicate confidently in a clear and inclusive way both in writing and verbally to resolve issues and can interpret and disseminate complex information and data.

ESSENTIAL

Building and Maintaining Relationships

You will have the ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders, customers and external contractors to better understand their needs, developing positive relationships to deliver improved business outcomes.

ESSENTIAL

Cognitive Ability Test
Role Play
Interview
Vacancy Information Booklets:
Guidance for Applicants - External.docx – 345KB
Converted File Guidance for Applicants - External.docx.pdf – 222KB

This opportunity is closed to applications.