Head of Payroll & Pensions – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council is seeking an experienced Head of Payroll & Pensions to lead payroll and pension administration services. This strategic leadership role is responsible for overseeing a team and delivering a modern service to 6,000 employees and 28,000 pension members. Candidates must possess extensive experience in payroll and pensions, excellent communication skills, and familiarity with systems like Oracle Payroll. The role offers a salary of £79,629 and demands a commitment to service excellence and compliance.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior-level leadership experience in payroll and pensions.
• Strong background in managing services within a large, complex organisation.
• Proven track record of delivering performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council’s payroll and pension administration services.
• Oversee payroll and pensions systems ensuring data integrity.
• Ensure compliance with statutory regulations and deadlines.

Skills

Leadership experience in payroll and pensions

Knowledge of LGPS regulations

Strong communication skills

Tools

Oracle Payroll

Altair

Job description

Head of Payroll & Pensions
Lewisham Council | Finance Directorate
Grade: SMG3
Salary offered: £79,629.00

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Payroll & Pensions to lead Lewisham Council’s payroll and pension administration services. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for delivering a modern, customer‑focused service for:

• 3,000 Council employees
• 3,000 School employees
• 28,000 pension members (active, deferred and pensioners)
• An annual payroll of £170m+
• An LGPS Pension Fund valued at £1.85bn

You will shape the long‑term direction of our payroll and pension services, ensuring excellent service delivery, compliance with all statutory requirements, continuous improvement, and the effective management of a high‑performing team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior leader who thrives in a complex, high‑profile environment and is passionate about service excellence, innovation and strong governance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the Council’s payroll and pension administration services, setting vision, standards and performance expectations.
• Contribute to the Finance Leadership Team and support organisation‑wide strategic objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and best practice.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure accurate and timely payment of salaries, wages and pensions.
• Oversee payroll and pensions systems including Oracle Cloud and Altair, ensuring data integrity, system updates and effective controls.
• Manage legacy and archived data in line with LGPS regulations.

Compliance & Governance

• Act as the Council’s subject matter expert on payroll and pension legislation, including LGPS Regulations, Pensions Acts, the Public Services Pensions Act and data protection.
• Ensure full compliance with statutory deadlines, HMRC requirements, audit standards and pension scheme regulations.
• Lead the Council’s response to HMRC audits, investigations and pension disputes.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Build strong working relationships with HR, Finance, IT, schools, external partners and suppliers.
• Lead the development and management of the schools payroll SLA and pensions administration for admitted/scheduled bodies.
• Represent Lewisham at Pension Board meetings, the Pension Investment Committee and regional forums.

Pension Fund & Actuarial Work

• Act as the strategic lead for the external actuary relationship, overseeing contract management and re‑procurement.
• Lead all administration aspects of the triennial valuation, ensuring high‑quality data and robust governance.
• Manage employer admissions, risk assessments and adherence to LGPS policies.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of 26 through two direct reports (Payroll Manager and Pensions Manager).
• Promote a culture of accountability, professional growth, inclusion and high performance.
• Ensure ongoing training, technical development and succession planning.

Financial & Strategic Reporting

• Oversee payroll and pensions financial controls, ensuring value for money and strong stewardship.
• Provide accurate data for pension fund accounts, valuation exercises and statutory submissions.
• Advise on early retirements, compensation matters and pension discretions.

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• Extensive senior‑level leadership experience in payroll and pensions.
• Strong background in managing services within a large, complex organisation (local government preferred).
• Experience with systems such as Oracle Payroll and Altair.
• Proven track record of delivering performance improvements and high‑quality operational service.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of LGPS regulations and the legislative framework for pensions.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with experience in complex payroll and pension calculations.
• Knowledge of local government policies, audit requirements and statutory reporting.
• Understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing public sector organisations.

Leadership & Personal Qualities

• Inspiring and resilient leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organised, strategic and able to balance competing priorities.
• Committed to equality, diversity and excellent customer service.
• Strong integrity, professionalism and a collaborative mindset.

Additional Information

• Ability to attend occasional evening meetings or work flexibly when required.
• Commitment to Lewisham’s values and behaviours, including equality, dignity at work and environmental responsibility.
• DBS check may be required depending on final duties.