Deputy Head of Payroll Services

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Greater Manchester is seeking a skilled Deputy Head of Payroll Services to join its team. This role is critical for delivering an efficient and customer-focused Pay Services function, ensuring compliance and accuracy while supporting leadership efforts. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in payroll and pensions, along with experience in managing teams to enhance service delivery. This position offers a permanent, full-time contract with competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working

Generous leave

NHS pension

Wellbeing initiatives

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Experienced payroll and pensions professional with expert knowledge of legislation and best practice.
• Experience managing large transactional operational teams.
• Experience of service and resource planning.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Head of Payroll Services.
• Oversee accuracy and timeliness of payroll services.
• Provide expert advice on complex payroll and pensions issues.

Skills

Expert knowledge of payroll and pensions legislation

Confident communication

Leadership and team development

Proactive and solution-focused

Education

Diploma in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Summary

We’re looking for a skilled and motivated Deputy Head of Payroll Services to join Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) and play a pivotal role in delivering a sustainable, efficient, and customer‑focused Pay Services function. This role contributes to the wider Employee Value Proposition (EVP), helping to attract and retain employees and position Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) as the ‘Employer of Choice’ in Greater Manchester.

This is an exciting opportunity for an expert in Payroll, Pensions and Expenses to make a meaningful impact across a large and complex organisation. You will ensure our Pay Services are compliant, accurate, and customer‑focused while acting as a trusted deputy to the Head of Payroll Services.

Main Duties of the Job

Leadership & Strategy

• Deputise for the Head of Payroll Services/Associate Director of Workforce Services.
• Support the design and delivery of MFT’s Pay Services strategy and contribute to organisational goals.
• Lead and manage senior team members, ensuring objectives, appraisals, and personal development plans are in place.

Operations & Compliance

• Oversee the accuracy and timeliness of payroll, pensions, and expenses services.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, HMRC guidance, GDPR, FOI, and Trust policies.
• Support development and monitoring of SLAs and KPIs, providing performance reports and governance assurance.
• Lead on payroll system changes and contribute to functional audits, benchmarking, and surveys.

Customer Service & Communications

• Maintain MFT’s reputation for high‑quality, customer‑focused Pay Services.
• Provide expert advice to staff, managers, and external stakeholders on complex payroll and pensions issues.
• Build strong relationships with recognised trade unions, statutory bodies, and external partners.
• Promote continuous improvement, best practice, and effective knowledge sharing.

Innovation & Improvement

• Drive initiatives to optimise e‑systems, automation, and AI within Pay Services.
• Identify and deliver cost and efficiency savings, service enhancements, and income generation opportunities.
• Contribute to project work and Trust‑wide initiatives that support the EVP.

Team Development & Personal Growth

• Support talent management, coaching, and mentoring across the team.
• Contribute to succession planning and workforce resilience.
• Commit to your own professional development, keeping up to date with payroll legislation and policy changes.

Qualifications

• An experienced payroll and pensions professional with expert knowledge of legislation and best practice.
• A confident communicator with the ability to advise, influence, and engage senior stakeholders.
• Skilled in leading and developing teams to deliver high‑quality, customer‑focused services.
• Proactive, solution‑focused, and committed to continuous improvement.

About Us

At Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT), we pride ourselves on a values‑driven culture and a commitment to exceptional care for Greater Manchester. Within Pay Services, you’ll join a supportive, collaborative team that values professionalism, innovation, and continuous learning, with modern systems to deliver the best service for staff and patients.

We invest in professional growth through training, mentorship, and opportunities to lead impactful projects. As part of one of the UK’s largest NHS Trusts, you’ll enjoy flexible working, generous leave, NHS pension, wellbeing initiatives, and clear career progression.

Person Specification

Essential

• Diploma in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing large transactional, customer‑focused operational teams.
• Knowledge of pensions and payroll policy and procedures, and current statutory legislation.
• Experience of service and resource planning.
• Experience of leading service change and transformation.
• Experience of implementing effective quality control measures.

Desirable

• Knowledge of ESR and Health Roster system functionality.
• Masters’ degree in a relevant subject.
• Management experience within a Payroll Department or Employee Services or Shared Service function, preferably within the NHS.
• Completion of the Mary Seacole programme or equivalent leadership training.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Job Details

Date posted: 27 October 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 349‑COR‑7507155‑RL4

Job location: Corporate Services Business Unit (CSBU), Trafford General Hospital, Moorside Road, Davyhulme, Manchester, M41 5SL

Employer Details

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Corporate Services Business Unit (CSBU), Trafford General Hospital, Moorside Road, Davyhulme, Manchester, M41 5SL