Head of Payroll & Pensions - London (Hybrid) - £79,500

Ashdown Group; Woolstone; On-site; GBP 67,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public sector finance service is seeking a Head of Payroll and Pensions to oversee strategic direction and compliance for payroll services. The successful candidate will manage a high-performing team, ensure adherence to legislation, and handle a significant payroll exceeding £170m. This role requires strong leadership and communication skills and offers a salary up to £79,500, based in SE London on a hybrid basis, with office presence required at least 2 days a week.

Qualifications

• Substantial senior-level experience in payroll and pensions.
• Ability to lead high performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of payroll and pensions legislation, LGPS regulations.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for payroll and pensions.
• Lead dedicated teams and drive improvements.
• Ensure compliance with payroll and pensions legislation.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical capability

Excellent communication skills

Education

Relevant degree or professional payroll or pensions qualification (e.g., MCIPPdip)

Tools

Oracle Payroll

Altair

Job description

Take on a pivotal leadership role at the heart of a major public sector finance service. As Head of Payroll and Pensions, you'll guide a high performing team responsible for delivering accurate, compliant and customer focused services to more than 6,000 employees and over 28,000 pension members. With an annual payroll exceeding £170m and a multi billion pound pension fund, the scale and impact of this role are significant.

You will set the strategic direction for payroll and pensions, leading dedicated teams (two Direct Reports), driving improvements, and ensuring robust governance across all operations. Your strong knowledge of payroll and pensions legislation-particularly LGPS regulations and the wider statutory framework-will position you as the organisation's expert advisor. You'll interpret regulatory changes, update policies and systems, and ensure seamless compliance across all functions.

Working in a complex, fast paced environment, preferably within the public sector or local government, you'll oversee key systems such as Oracle Payroll and Altair, safeguard data integrity, and manage performance measures that keep services efficient and responsive. Strong leadership, analytical capability, and excellent communication skills are essential, as you'll collaborate with senior leaders, schools, external employers, actuaries, auditors, and government bodies.

If you bring substantial senior level experience in payroll and pensions, the ability to lead high performing teams, and a commitment to delivering inclusive, high quality services, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a real and lasting impact. Step into a role where your expertise drives meaningful change and supports thousands across the organisation. A relevant degree or professional payroll or pensions qualification (e.g., MCIPPdip) is preferable, but not essential.

This Head of Payroll & Pensions role is based in SE London on a hybrid basis, in the office at least 2 days per week, and paying up to £79,500 depending on experience.