Assistant Payroll Manager

London Fire Brigade; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

London Fire Brigade is seeking an experienced Assistant Payroll Manager to join the Payroll Services team in a fast-paced environment. You will lead day-to-day payroll operations, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while complying with pension regulations and payroll legislation.

This role requires strong technical payroll expertise, especially using the iTrent system, plus the ability to coach and develop junior staff.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high-volume payroll environments.
• Demonstrable experience using the iTrent Payroll and HR system (essential).
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and statutory payments.
• Excellent attention to detail with high accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel skills with payroll reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience supervising, coaching or supporting team members.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to providing a customer-focused service.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of an accurate, timely payroll service for a large workforce.
• Process, verify and authorise payroll transactions using the iTrent Payroll and HR system.
• Ensure payroll calculations, deductions and payments are completed accurately and in line with payroll legislation.
• Resolve complex payroll queries and provide expert guidance to managers and employees.
• Manage payroll reconciliations and support statutory reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, pension requirements and internal controls.
• Produce payroll reports, management information and data analysis as required.
• Support payroll audits and the implementation of process improvements.
• Build effective working relationships across HR, Finance, IT and other business areas.
• Assist with workload planning and resource allocation across the payroll team.
• Coach, support and develop Payroll and Finance Assistants to ensure a high-performing team environment.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance payroll processes and service delivery.

Skills

High-volume payroll

iTrent experience

PAYE & NI knowledge

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder mgmt

People leadership

Tools

iTrent Payroll & HR

Job description

Join One of London's Largest and Most Respected Public Sector Organisations

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced payroll professional to join London Fire Brigade as an Assistant Payroll Manager.

This is a key role within the Payroll Services team, supporting the delivery of an accurate, efficient and compliant payroll service for a large and diverse workforce. You will work in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail, customer service and technical payroll expertise are essential.

This opportunity would suit an experienced payroll professional who enjoys working with complex payroll processes, leading and supporting team members, and driving high standards of service delivery.

Please note: previous experience using the iTrent Payroll and HR system is essential for this role.

Location: Southwark, London (with a planned move to Vauxhall from February 2027)

Contract: Initial 3-month contract with the potential for extension

Working Pattern: Full-time, Monday to Friday

Hybrid Working: 1-2 days per week in the office

Pay Rate: £28.18 per hour PAYE or £36.69 per hour Umbrella

The Role

As Assistant Payroll Manager, you will support the day-to-day management of payroll operations, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with payroll legislation, pension regulations and organisational policies.

You will provide technical expertise on complex payroll matters, support continuous improvement initiatives and work closely with colleagues across HR, Finance and other departments to ensure an effective and customer-focused payroll service.

This role offers a blend of operational payroll management, stakeholder engagement and team leadership, making it an excellent opportunity for someone looking to further develop their career within payroll management.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of an accurate and timely payroll service for a large workforce.
• Process, verify and authorise payroll transactions using the iTrent Payroll and HR system.
• Ensure payroll calculations, deductions and payments are completed accurately and in line with payroll legislation.
• Resolve complex payroll queries and provide expert guidance to managers and employees.
• Manage payroll reconciliations and support statutory reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, pension requirements and internal controls.
• Produce payroll reports, management information and data analysis as required.
• Support payroll audits and the implementation of process improvements.
• Build effective working relationships across HR, Finance, IT and other business areas.
• Assist with workload planning and resource allocation across the payroll team.
• Coach, support and develop Payroll and Finance Assistants to ensure a high-performing team environment.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance payroll processes and service delivery.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience working within a high-volume payroll environment.
• Demonstrable experience using the iTrent Payroll and HR system (essential).
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and statutory payments.
• Experience processing and reviewing complex payroll calculations.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience producing payroll-related reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supervising, coaching or supporting team members.
• The ability to prioritise workloads and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to providing an excellent customer-focused service.