Head Of Pensions And Payroll

Portfolio Payroll Limited; Wytham; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading payroll and pensions service provider in Wytham seeks a Head of Payroll & Pensions to lead operations for over 22,000 staff. The role demands extensive experience in payroll and pensions management, a knack for driving process improvements, and the ability to build strong relationships at all levels. You'll mentor a dedicated team, ensuring compliance and governance across multiple complex pension schemes. This is a chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic, progressive environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing large-scale payroll operations and high-volume processing.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing a pension administration service.
• Strong track record of leading organisational change and service improvement.
• Confidence in managing relationships at executive and board level.
• Passion for developing people, teams, and best-practice processes.
• Experience within the education sector is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage payroll operations and pension administration for 22,000+ staff.
• Provide strategic direction, identifying and driving process and system enhancements.
• Build strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders to support organisational goals.
• Ensure effective governance, compliance, and risk management across multiple pension schemes.
• Develop, mentor, and support the payroll and pensions team to achieve operational excellence.

Skills

Managing large-scale payroll operations

Overseeing pension administration

Leading organisational change

Building strong relationships

Mentoring payroll and pensions team

Job description

Are you an experienced payroll and pensions leader ready to shape and deliver a first‑class service at scale? Our client is seeking a dynamic Head of Payroll & Pensions to oversee payroll operations and the pension administration service for a workforce of over 22,000 employees.

This is a pivotal role, responsible for providing strategic vision, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring efficient, accurate, and compliant delivery across multiple complex pension schemes. You will lead a large, dedicated team and champion their development—ensuring high engagement, capability, and service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage payroll operations and pension administration for 22,000+ staff
• Provide strategic direction, identifying and driving process and system enhancements
• Build strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders to support organisational goals
• Ensure effective governance, compliance, and risk management across multiple pension schemes
• Develop, mentor, and support the payroll and pensions team to achieve operational excellence

About You

You will be a proven, senior‑level leader with:

• Extensive experience managing large‑scale payroll operations and high‑volume processing
• Demonstrated experience overseeing a pension administration service
• Strong track record of leading organisational change and service improvement
• Confidence in managing relationships at executive and board level
• Passion for developing people, teams, and best‑practice processes
• Experience within the education sector is desirable

This is an exciting opportunity to make a measurable impact and help shape the future of payroll and pensions within a highly complex organisation.

If you're a forward‑thinking professional who thrives in a fast‑paced, progressive environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now to take the next step in your leadership career.