Deputy Head of Pay and Pensions

Rutherford Cross; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A Glasgow based institution is seeking a Deputy Head of Pay and Pensions to lead its payroll and pensions service. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with laws, manage financial processes, and develop strategic plans to enhance service delivery. This role requires a degree, relevant professional qualifications, and comprehensive knowledge of payroll and pension regulations. A strong focus on leadership and team development is essential.

Qualifications

• Up to date knowledge of employment law related to payroll and pensions.
• In-depth knowledge of pension schemes including auto-enrolment.
• Experience with expense reimbursement processes and financial reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage payroll and pensions service ensuring compliance.
• Ensure timely and accurate payroll and pension payments.
• Develop systems for control and reporting of taxable benefits.
• Provide financial data to management for decision making.
• Recruit and develop team members to enhance capability.

Skills

Understanding PAYE tax and National Insurance contributions

Knowledge of pension schemes regulations

Understanding accounting principles

Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Degree level education

Professional qualification (CIPP or AAT, ACCA, CIMA)

Job description

Rutherford Cross is delighted to be working with an established Glasgow based institution to appoint a Deputy Head of Pay and Pensions. The purpose of the role is to lead and manage a customer‑focused Payroll & Pensions service that ensures compliance with all legislative requirements and obligations to staff, pension schemes and external agencies. The post‑holder will provide strategic leadership, advice and guidance on pay and pensions across the organisation, embedding continuous improvement and robust governance while developing team capability.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To ensure all payroll, pension and expense reimbursement payments are made accurately, on time and in accordance with the current legislative requirements and organisational procedures
• To ensure that proper procedures and controls are in place throughout the pay and pension processing cycle to ensure the integrity of the payroll data and production of accurate and error free payroll information
• To ensure that all periodic statutory and non‑statutory returns are accurate and completed on time to meet monthly and annual obligations; specifically, payments to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in respect of income tax and National Insurance deducted and payments to other bodies such as pension agencies, courts and trade unions
• To develop systems and procedures to enable identification, control and the proper reporting of taxable benefits‑in‑kind
• To provide financial information to all levels of Management for decision making and control purposes and promoting good payroll practices by regular and ongoing meetings with user departments to keep them appraised of current payroll legislation and procedures and maintaining elevated levels of customer care
• Responsibility to ensure that required developments are identified and implemented promptly and correctly, including development of a pay and pensions strategic plan, covering staff, systems and process development to ensure continued service excellence
• To ensure that all expenditure generated out with the payroll run cycle is minimised but where necessary, is properly accounted for, reconciled and subsequently the financial ledger
• Recruit, coach, and develop team members to build capability, resilience and a culture of continuous improvement
• Foster collaborative working relationships with People & OD colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of processes
• Manage overseas payroll process ensuring all overseas staff are paid correctly, on time, that deductions and legislative return requirements are met
• Manage year‑end processes, including P11Ds, PAYE Settlement Agreements and EP Appendix 5 submissions
• Monitor and report on KPIs and SLAs to ensure service delivery meets customer expectations
• Manage pay and pensions‑related activities in respect of the year‑end process including audit requests and provision of information to internal stakeholders

Qualifications and Experience:

• Educated to degree level
• Relevant Professional qualification (CIPP or AAT, ACCA, CIMA)
• Up to date and comprehensive knowledge of employment law, where this relates to payroll, pensions and benefits in kind activity
• In‑depth knowledge of pension schemes, including auto‑enrolment, re‑enrolment and reporting to pension agencies
• Proven experience with expense reimbursement processes and financial ledger reconciliation

Skills:

• Full understanding of the rules and regulations governing the operation of PAYE tax and National Insurance contributions as well as the consequences of noncompliance
• Full understanding of the rules, regulations and legislation governing pension schemes
• Solid understanding of accounting principles associated with pay and pension schemes
• Solid understanding of the basis on which DB and DC pension schemes operate
• Full windows suite expertise

For more information on the role, please contact Jonathan Donnelly at Rutherford Cross:

[e-mail]

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.