Payroll Administrator

AQA Education; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bupa Health Insurance

Health Care Cash Plan

Life Assurance

Electric Vehicle Leasing

Pension contributions up to 18.5%

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Extra closure days at Christmas

Free on-site gym access

Flexible hybrid working

Job summary

AQA Education is seeking a Payroll Administrator in Manchester to join the Payroll Team. This permanent role covers weekly and monthly payrolls for employees, temporary workers and associates, with hybrid working (minimum two days in-office).

You'll develop payroll knowledge, resolve queries, ensure accuracy, and contribute to process improvements while supporting the payroll function.

Qualifications

• Experience within payroll administration or a similar finance-related role.
• Understanding of payroll processes and developing your payroll knowledge.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Proactive and collaborative approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Processing payroll changes and supporting weekly and monthly payrolls.
• Responding to payroll queries and helping resolve issues effectively.
• Maintaining accurate payroll records and supporting compliance activities.
• Investigating discrepancies and carrying out payroll checks and reconciliations.
• Working with payroll systems and contributing to process improvements across the team.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication skills

Customer service

Organisational skills

Collaborative working

Payroll systems

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and we're committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK , we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.

Payroll Administrator

Permanent

Manchester £25,662.00 - £27,500.00

Smart Hybrid Working with a minimum of two days per week in the office

Looking for an opportunity to develop your payroll knowledge and make a real impact?

As our Payroll Administrator, you'll join a Payroll Team responsible for delivering weekly and monthly payrolls for employees, temporary workers and associates across AQA.

Whether you've gained experience within payroll administration or a similar finance-related role, you'll have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of payroll legislation, systems and processes while playing an active role in resolving queries, investigating issues and supporting payroll accuracy across the organisation.

We're looking for someone who enjoys problem solving, has a keen eye for detail and takes pride in getting things right. In return, you'll play an important role in helping ensure colleagues are paid accurately and on time while developing valuable payroll knowledge and experience.

What you'll be doing

• Processing payroll changes and supporting weekly and monthly payrolls.
• Responding to payroll queries and helping resolve issues effectively.
• Maintaining accurate payroll records and supporting compliance activities.
• Investigating discrepancies and carrying out payroll checks and reconciliations.
• Working with payroll systems and contributing to process improvements across the team.

What we're looking for

We’re looking for someone who enjoys solving problems, has a keen eye for detail and takes pride in delivering a high-quality service to colleagues.

You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:

• Experience gained within payroll administration or a similar finance related role.
• An understanding of payroll processes and an interest in developing your payroll knowledge.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to work.

What's in it for you?

This is an opportunity to become part of an experienced and supportive team where you'll be encouraged to broaden your knowledge and develop your payroll expertise.

You’ll have the chance to:

• Work across both weekly and monthly payrolls.
• Develop your understanding of payroll legislation and compliance.
• Learn from experienced payroll professionals.
• Access training and development opportunities.
• Contribute to improving how payroll services are delivered across AQA

You’ll also benefit from AQA's wider rewards package including:

• Career development and professional growth in a leading education charity
• Comprehensive benefits including Bupa Health Insurance, Health Care Cash Plan, Life Assurance and an Electric Vehicle Leasing scheme, generous, combined pension contributions up to 18.5%- and 25-days annual leave plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas.
• A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working
• Free on-site gym access

Our commitment to inclusion

At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Full Job Description

Purpose: We are seeking a detail-oriented and efficient Payroll Administrator to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for supporting the weekly and monthly payroll process for employees, ensuring accurate and timely processing of salaries, benefits, and deductions, while adhering to UK payroll legislation and compliance standards. You will play a key role in delivering efficient, consistent and smooth payroll operations and ensuring a high level of service to employees and management. Landscape: The Payroll Administrator is part of the Payroll Team which are based in the Manchester office and sit within the Finance Team of the Corporate Services Office (CSO).