Part-Time Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Oxford is seeking a part-time Payroll and Benefits Administrator to ensure accurate payroll processing and administration of employee benefits. The ideal candidate will have a background in HR and strong skills in data and systems management. Responsibilities include managing payroll compliance, responding to inquiries, and maintaining records. This role provides an opportunity to contribute to a collaborative team environment and may transition to full-time in the future.

Benefits

Travel allowance

Enhanced holiday pay

Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance

Hospital Cash Plan

Therapy Services

Perk Box

Electric Car Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in payroll administration, HR, or accounting.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, tax codes, and statutory requirements.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Strong organisational skills to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and oversee all payments.
• Ensure compliance with tax, pension, and employment regulations.
• Maintain and update payroll and benefit records.
• Administer employee benefits and statutory deductions.
• Respond to employee enquiries regarding payroll issues.

Skills

Payroll administration

HR background

Data analysis

Effective communication

Time management

Education

Payroll certification (CPP, Payroll Technician Certificate)

Tools

Oracle Fusion

Pay Circle

Job description

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity's most challenging problems.

EIT will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability.

Led by a world-class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity's most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

Set for completion in 2027, the EIT Campus in Littlemore will include more than 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, educational and gathering spaces. Fuelled by growing ambition and the strength of Oxford's science ecosystem, EIT is now expanding its footprint to a 2 million sq ft Campus across the western part of The Oxford Science Park. Designed by Foster + Partners led by Lord Norman Foster, this will become a transformative workplace for up to 7,000 people, with autonomous laboratories, purpose-built laboratories including a plant sciences building and dynamic spaces to spark interdisciplinary collaboration.

EIT is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone's experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity's most enduring challenges.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and organised Payroll and Benefits Administrator to join our HR team on a part-time basis. This is a HR-focused role responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing and effective administration of employee benefits.

Working closely with the Talent and HR team, you will manage the relationship with our third-party payroll bureau, ensuring data accuracy in line with the payroll calendar. As we plan to transition payroll in-house, experience with both outsourced and internal payroll processes is highly desirable. In addition to payroll, you will play a key role in administering employee benefits - handling enrolments, liaising with providers and brokers, maintaining records, supporting renewals, and promoting employee awareness of available benefits. You will also ensure compliance with statutory regulations and act as the first point of contact for payroll and benefits queries.

This role is ideal for someone with background in HR who enjoys working with data, systems, and people, and who thrives in a collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and on schedule, including salaries, variable pay, bonuses, and deductions. They will also oversee stipend and maintenance payments to Ellison Scholars and such roles
• Ensure compliance with tax, pension, and employment regulations
• Maintain and update employee payroll and benefit records (new hires, terminations, pay changes)
• Administer employee benefits and statutory deductions such as pensions, insurance, and tax withholdings
• Generate payroll reports for HR, finance, and management teams
• Respond to employee enquiries regarding payslips, deductions, and payroll issues
• Liaise with external agencies (e.g. 3rd party payroll, benefits providers, advise employees on navigating HMRC) as required
• Support audits by preparing and providing payroll documentation
• Stay updated on changes to payroll legislation and best practices

Requirements

• Proven experience in payroll administration, HR, or accounting
• Knowledge of payroll systems (in house system being Oracle Fusion and agency portal being Pay Circle)
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, tax codes, and statutory requirements
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills with strong attention to detail
• High level of integrity and confidentiality when handling sensitive information
• Strong organisational and time-management skills to meet deadlines
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with employees and stakeholders
• In depth experience of payroll processing and able to operate autonomously in role
• Highly detail conscious and comfortable with large volumes of data coming in from multiple sources
• Confident, assertive, and challenging when managing 3rd party relationships and ensuring SLA's are adhered to
• Payroll certification (e.g., Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Payroll Technician Certificate) desirable
• Flexible in approach to work and managing own time and hours to reflect and fulfil needs of monthly payroll cycle

Benefits

• Salary: Dependent on experience + travel allowance + bonus (pro-rated)
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme
• This position is likely to be part-time initially (2-3 days per week), with potential to go full time in the future.