Payroll Advisor

Scottish Legal Aid Board; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Generous annual leave (34–42 days)

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Scottish Legal Aid Board is seeking a proactive Payroll Advisor to manage an end-to-end monthly payroll and pensions process. The role requires accuracy, autonomy and a focus on continuous improvement within a 28-hour per week, fixed-term contract of 12 months.

You will oversee payroll timelines, respond to complex queries, maintain audit records and coordinate pension scheme activities with Finance, SPPA and employees.

Qualifications

• High numerical aptitude with accuracy in payroll processing.
• Flexible to perform monthly, annual and ad-hoc tasks.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrable integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent organisation and ability to multi-task to deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise workload with minimal supervision.
• Customer-focused, approachable manner, team player.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft 365 apps, especially Excel, Word and OneNote.

Responsibilities

• Process the monthly payroll cycle with amendments and validations.
• Investigate and resolve complex payroll and pension queries.
• Maintain payroll and pension audit records and support audits.
• Administer pension scheme membership changes and liaison with stakeholders.
• Manage pensions processing, lump sums, bereavements and HMRC reporting.

Skills

Numerical aptitude

Interpersonal skills

Integrity & confidentiality

Organisation & multitasking

Workload prioritisation

Customer focus

Attention to detail

Team player

MS 365 (Excel, Word, OneNote)

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

We’re looking for a proactive and highly organised Payroll Advisor who will be responsible for delivering an accurate, efficient and timely payroll and pensions service, ensuring all salaries and pension payments are processed correctly and in line with payroll deadlines.

As one of the subject matter experts for payroll, the role operates with a high degree of autonomy, managing the end-to-end monthly payroll cycle, supporting and overseeing payroll-related work undertaken by the People Coordinator, and identifying opportunities to continuously improve payroll and pension processes and services.

Key responsibilities include:

• processing the monthly payroll cycle, including payroll amendments, cost allocation overrides, retro calculations, payroll validation checks and submission to Finance in line with payroll timetables
• investigating and resolving complex payroll and pension queries, ensuring compliance with SLAB policies, payroll legislation and regulatory requirements
• maintaining comprehensive payroll and pension audit records and supporting internal/external audit activities by providing information and attending meetings as required
• administering pension scheme membership activities, including new entrants, leavers, transfers, refunds, preserved benefits and ongoing membership changes, acting as the main liaison between employees, pensioners, Finance and SPPA
• managing pensions entering and leaving payment, including the setup of pension payroll records, payment of lump sums, bereavement cases, dependant pensions and associated HMRC reporting requirements.

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• high numerical aptitude
• a degree of flexibility to carry out monthly, annual and ad-hoc payroll related tasks
• strong interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication
• demonstrable skills in integrity and maintaining confidentiality
• excellent organisational skills, able to multi-task and work to deadlines
• ability to prioritise own workload with minimum supervision
• strong customer focus with an approachable manner
• excellent attention to detail
• to work well in a team
• a sound knowledge of Microsoft 365, particularly Excel, Word and One Note.

What we offer

• A meaningful role where your work makes a real impact
• A supportive, inclusive, and values-driven working environment
• Opportunities for learning and professional development
• Flexible working to support a healthy work-life balance
• A competitive salary and benefits package, including pension contributions
• Generous annual leave entitlement (34 days, rising to 42 days after two years’ service)
• Enhanced family-friendly leave entitlements
• Access to wellbeing support, mental health support and an employee assistance programme
• Access to a wide range of discounts (including gym and retail) and the Cycle to Work scheme through our partner, Edenred.

This role is fixed term for 12 months and part time, working 28 hours per week.

For more details about this role and a full list of essential criteria and required competencies, please see the Job Description.

Completed applications should be returned by 23:55 on 24 September 2026.

Following the sift successful applicants will be invited to attend a short assessment and a competency-based interview in early October 2026 (dates subject to volume of applicants and may be subject to change).