Head of Payroll

JGA Recruitment; Tooting; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected organisation in the education and health sector is seeking a Head of Payroll, Pensions & People Systems in South West London. This full-time role offers a salary up to £65,000 with a hybrid work model. You will lead a team while ensuring accurate payroll and compliance. Ideal candidates are CIPP qualified with a strong payroll management background and extensive experience in pension schemes. Join this dynamic team committed to operational excellence.

Qualifications

• CIPP qualified or equivalent certification is required.
• Proven experience managing payroll in medium/large organisations.
• In-depth knowledge of Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution schemes.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll, pensions and people systems team.
• Ensure timely payroll delivery and compliance.
• Advise on payroll, pensions, and legislative changes.

Skills

CIPP qualified (or equivalent)

Expert knowledge of iTrent

Strong background in payroll management

Excellent organisational and communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Self-starter with resilience and initiative

Job description

Head of Payroll, Pensions & People Systems

📍 South West London (Tooting) | 💰 Up to £65,000

🕘 Full-Time | 12-Month FTC

🖥️ Hybrid : 3 days on-site / 2 days WFH

🧾 System : iTrent

A respected organisation in the education / health sector is seeking a highly capable Head of Payroll, Pensions & People Systems to lead a specialist team and oversee a large, complex payroll and pension operation. This is a role for an experienced professional ready to drive accuracy, compliance and system excellence across the entire function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the payroll, pensions and people systems team.
• Oversee accurate, timely payroll delivery and ensure full statutory compliance.
• Ensure correct and compliant pension administration across DB & DC schemes.
• Advise senior stakeholders on payroll, pensions and legislative changes.
• Maintain strong governance, processes and reporting for HMRC and pension bodies.
• Drive improvements across systems, procedures and controls.
• Provide expert iTrent leadership and optimisation.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• CIPP qualified (or equivalent).
• Strong background managing payroll in a medium or large organisation.
• In-depth experience with Defined Benefit & Defined Contribution schemes.
• Exposure to SAUL, USS and NHSSS pension schemes (highly desirable).
• Proven line management and team leadership experience.
• Expert knowledge of iTrent and payroll system operations.
• Excellent organisational, problem‑solving and communication skills.
• Self‑starter with resilience, initiative and the ability to juggle high volumes.

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd (We) are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. We are also committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We are a specialist payroll, HR & Reward recruitment agency and recruitment business as defined in the Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (our business). These statements together with our privacy notices set out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.