HR & Payroll Administration Lead

Public Sector Resourcing; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in London is seeking a HR/Payroll Administration Lead to manage HR systems and payroll processes. This role requires proven experience with MHR iTrent, strong skills in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, and a solid understanding of GDPR compliance. The position is pivotal in supporting HR operations and ensuring timely delivery within a fast-paced environment, with a focus on team management and stakeholder engagement. This is a 6-month contract requiring in-office presence three days a week.

Qualifications

• Proven experience using MHR iTrent platform for HR data and payroll management.
• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office tools for reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support HR teams in a matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage HR systems and data integrity, including accurate entry within MHR iTrent.
• Support and coordinate a small team of HR Advisers.
• Ensure GDPR compliance in handling personal data.

Skills

MHR iTrent platform

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office tools

GDPR compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Customer service skills

Job description

On behalf of Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), we are looking for a HR/Payroll Administration Lead (Inside IR35) for a 6 Month contract based in London 3 days a week in the office.

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is a UK government body that promotes the UK's cultural, creative, and sporting sectors, driving economic growth, enriching lives, and boosting national reputation by supporting arts, media, heritage, tourism, and sports from local to national levels. It oversees key public bodies like major museums, Sport England, and the Arts Council, focusing on policy for creative industries (film, fashion, games), public service broadcasting, and community cohesion, while working to modernise operations and support UK soft power.

The HR Operations team supports the entire employee lifecycle and ensures smooth delivery of core HR services. This role is pivotal in managing HR systems, payroll, compliance, and providing operational support to the business in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage HR systems and data integrity, including accurate entry and maintenance within MHR iTrent.
• Support and coordinate a small team of HR Advisers through matrix management, ensuring timely delivery of HR actions.
• Monitor case trackers and progress of HR actions, leveraging Google Workspace and Microsoft tools for reporting and updates.
• Ensure GDPR compliance in handling personal data and maintaining secure documentation practices.
• Assist in payroll processing for weekly and monthly cycles, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Resolve escalated HR queries and transactional issues, providing solutions aligned with business needs and HR policies.

Essential

• Proven experience using MHR iTrent platform for HR data and payroll management.
• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office tools for reporting and case tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support HR teams in a matrix environment.
• Excellent understanding of GDPR compliance and data protection principles.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and customer service skills, with experience resolving complex HR queries.

Desirable

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DCMS guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.

Armed Forces Covenant

DCMS guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex‑military candidates or military spouses/partners who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".