Payroll Administrator

USS Investment Management Limited; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Great starting salary

Generous annual leave

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Learning & development

Cycle to Work

Volunteer day

Job summary

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is hiring a Payroll Administrator in Liverpool to manage accurate monthly payroll processing across the group and support the HR Operations function. You will handle starters, leavers, changes, deductions, and statutory payments while maintaining robust payroll records and complying with policies and timetables.

The role sits in a hybrid team, reporting to the Payroll Lead, with opportunities to improve processes and automation as part of the HR

Qualifications

• Experience within a Payroll environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience responding to employee payroll queries.

Responsibilities

• Process monthly payroll transactions accurately and on time.
• Maintain employee payroll records and respond to queries.
• Support reconciliations and validation checks.
• Handle starters, leavers, and changes in payroll data.
• Support payroll-related tax returns and year-end processes.

Skills

Payroll experience

UK payroll legislation

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Payroll queries handling

Tools

iTrent

Job description

Business Area: HRPlace of Work: LiverpoolContract Type: Fixed Term ContractWhen you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.About the roleIn your role as Payroll Administrator you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to To provide accurate, timely and efficient payroll administration across the Group, ensuring employee pay and associated payroll activities are processed in accordance with company policies, statutory requirements and agreed payroll timetables.The Payroll Administrator will be responsible for maintaining accurate payroll records, processing routine payroll transactions, responding to employee queries and supporting the wider Payroll team to deliver a high-quality service. The role sits within the HR Operations function, reporting to the Payroll Lead, and contributes to the delivery of both day-to-day payroll operations and wider continuous improvement activity. The HR Operations team has a strong focus on maintaining excellent business-as-usual service delivery whilst driving process simplification, standardisation, automation and systems improvement initiatives to support the HR transformation agenda.What you will be doingAs a trusted part of the HR team you will be responsible for:Payroll processingProcess monthly payroll transactions accurately and within agreed deadlines.Input and maintain employee payroll information, including starters, leavers and changes.Process changes to salary, hours, allowances, deductions and other payroll-related payments.Process sickness, absence, statutory payments and other routine payroll adjustments.Process overtime, wellbeing claims and other variable pay elements where applicable.Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation.Assist with payroll reconciliations and validation checks.Identify and escalate discrepancies or unusual payroll movements to the Payroll Lead.Complete post payroll tasks, including account reconciliations.Process employee related tax returns (PSA).Starters and LeaversProcess new starters in line with payroll deadlines.Ensure required payroll information is complete and accurate.Process leavers, including final salary payments and deductions.Ensure holiday pay and other final payments are processed correctly.Benefits Pensions and deductionsProcess salary sacrifice and other payroll deductions in accordance with instructions.Assist with payroll-related benefit changes and reconciliation activity.Escalate complex or unusual pension, benefit or deduction queries.Team SupportWork collaboratively with Payroll Lead, HR colleagues and other internal teams.Where necessary, provide administrative support to the wider HR Operations function.About youWe know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.To be successful in the role you will have:Experience within a Payroll environment.Technical knowledge of UK Payroll legislationHighly motivated with excellent organisational \\ planning skillsExcellent communication skills both verbally and in writingKnowledge of iTrent is desirable but not essentialWhy join us?At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families. We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development. We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team. Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits!How we will reward you Great starting salaryGenerous annual leave packageAccess to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation SchemeSupportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeingAccess to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membershipLearning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talentEmployee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and liveCycle to Work SchemeOur culture and valuesOur people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves. Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them ‘front and centre’ of what we do. This is embedded through our values:IntegrityCollaborationExcellenceAbout usUniversities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and other higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for almost 577,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest private defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £76.8bn (at 31 March 2025). To find out more, please visit https://www.uss.co.ukUSSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting [e-mail].