Payments Services Officer

Islington Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

London Living Wage

Flexible working options

Learning & development opportunities

Competitive pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Local discounts

Job summary

Islington Council’s Payments Services team is seeking a dedicated Payments Officer to help run our key financial operation. You will process secure payments, support financial systems, and guide staff and suppliers while ensuring data integrity and GDPR compliance.

You’ll join a collaborative team led by the Payments Services Manager, with a focus on accuracy, security, and timely delivery of payments in line with KPIs.

Qualifications

• Experience in finance/accounts payable roles.
• Strong IT and Excel skills with familiarity in financial systems.
• Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines under pressure.
• Strong communication and customer service abilities.
• Experience resolving queries from simple to complex.

Responsibilities

• Process secure, accurate information to ensure timely payments in line with KPIs.
• Support and maintain financial systems, ensuring data integrity.
• Provide guidance and training to staff and suppliers.
• Monitor, test, and resolve payment systems issues.
• Maintain accurate, secure, GDPR-compliant financial records.
• Support reporting, year-end activity, and process improvements.

Skills

Finance/accounts payable experience

Excel

IT proficiency

Prioritisation under pressure

Communication skills

GDPR knowledge

Job description

About The Role

Join Our Fast-Paced, Customer-Focused Payments Team!

Role: Payments Officer – Payment Services

Grade: Scale 6 (Permanent)Location:222 Upper StreetTeam:Payments Team (Finance, Resources)

An exciting opportunity has opened in our Payments Services Team during a pivotal time of transition. You will help keep one of the council’s key financial operations running smoothly, securely, and efficiently, while providing support to service users, external suppliers and delivering outstanding service

What You’ll Do

• Process secure, accurate information to ensure timely payments in line with KPIs
• Support and maintain financial systems, ensuring data integrity
• Provide guidance and training to staff and suppliers
• Monitor, test, and resolve payment systems issues
• Maintain accurate, secure, GDPR-compliant financial records
• Support reporting, year-end activity, and process improvements

What You’ll Bring

• Finance/accounts payable experience
• Strong IT and Excel skills; confident with financial systems
• Able to prioritise and meet tight deadlines under pressure
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Skilled in resolving queries, from simple to complex
• Good knowledge of GDPR with strong attention to detail

Meet the Team

You’ll work alongside a dedicated, collaborative team led by the Payment Services Manager. Known for their “can-do” attitude, the team thrives on delivering top-tier service and putting both our internal and external customers first.

For further information or for an informal conversation about the post, please contact:

Mario Christofides

Payment Services Manager

[e-mail]

Working for the team, service and our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t beclearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the boroughand as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, wehave to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre‑Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England & Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.