Head of Payroll & Pensions

Brackenberry; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Head of Payroll & Pensions for a permanent role within a Local Authority in Lewisham. The successful candidate will lead the payroll and pensions services, ensuring they comply with organizational priorities. They must have significant experience in payroll and pension functions, ideally within local government, and possess a relevant degree or qualification. Strong management skills and knowledge of systems like Oracle Cloud are essential. Immediate availability is preferred.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in payroll and pensions.
• Experience leading teams in local government.
• Strong understanding of related regulations and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll and pensions services efficiently and compliantly.
• Manage the payroll cycle and pensions administration.
• Maintain relationships with stakeholders, including HR and auditors.

Skills

Management experience in payroll and pensions

Leadership skills

Compliance understanding

Experience with Oracle Cloud Payroll

Experience with LGPS administration

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification (MCIPPdip)

Tools

Oracle Cloud

Altair

Job description

We are working closely alongside a Local Authority in Lewisham to assist with the appointment of a Head of Payroll & Pensions, on a Permanent basis, highly likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Rate of Pay: £79,629 per Annum

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Councils payroll and pensions services, ensuring they are efficient, compliant, customer-focused, and aligned to organisational priorities.
• Contribute to the broader leadership of the Finance Directorate as part of the Finance Leadership Team
• Oversee the full payroll cycle and pensions administration processes, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant delivery for Council, schools and admitted bodies.
• Act as strategic lead for the payroll and pensions modules within Oracle Cloud, Altair, and associated legacy systems.
• Maintain strong working relationships with HR, schools, external auditors, regulatory bodies, unions and outsourced service providers.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or a professional payroll or pensions qualification (e.g., MCIPPdip), or substantial equivalent experience (typically 10+ years).

Responsibilities

• Significant experience managing payroll and pension functions within a local government setting.
• Proven track record of leading and developing teams, ensuring compliance with statutory and organisational requirements.
• Extensive experience of LGPS administration, including applying regulations, managing admitted bodies and working with actuaries
• Strong understanding of payroll systems and pension platforms, particularly Oracle Cloud Payroll and Altair, including system upgrades and enhancement projects.
• Demonstrable experience implementing internal controls, ensuring audit compliance and managing complex financial or legislative processes.
• Evidence of successfully developing service improvements, KPIs and customer-focused processes within a complex organisation.

Please note

• You should be available to work immediately or at a short notice.
• You should have right to work in U.K

Disclaimer: Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important

We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. Incase the role requires an enhanced DBS, your DBS must be either through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.

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