Payroll and Pensions Officer

West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Leeds; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Free bus/rail travel (MCard)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Professional development and training

Volunteering days (paid)

Salary progression / annual COLA

Parental and bereavement leave

Counselling services (24/7) / Headline

Modern office near Leeds Station

Job summary

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is recruiting for a Payroll professional to manage monthly payroll calculations and ensure compliance with internal policies and statutory regulations. The role requires robust knowledge of payroll and pension matters within a Local Authority environment.

You will handle timely returns to HMRC and pension bodies, and provide guidance to stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Educated to A level or have equivalent relevant education/ experience.
• Strong working understanding, knowledge and experience of payroll, HMRC and Local Government pension regulations.
• Demonstrable deep understanding of payroll & pension matters within a Local Authority environment.
• Strong and in depth understanding and experience of financial controls and procedures.
• In depth expertise across the payroll and finance function with the ability to identify, manage and resolve any complex concerns / problems.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the management and accurate /timely calculation of monthly payroll ensuring compliance with internal policies and statutory regulations.
• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of compliance/statutory returns to HMRC, Pension Authority, other bodies and providing accurate/timely payroll and pension management information.
• Provide professional guidance and investigate/resolve problems and enquiries, in a confidential manager, from internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Financial controls

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Education

A levels or equivalent education/experience

Job description

Full time / Permanent - 37 hours per week

Our Offer

• Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
• Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
• Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
• Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Investing in you –Take advantage of supported professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
• Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
• Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
• Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
• Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

• Undertake the management and accurate /timely calculation of monthly payroll ensuring compliance with internal policies and statutory regulations.
• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of compliance/statutory returns to HMRC, Pension Authority, other bodies and providing accurate/timely payroll and pension management information.
• Provide professional guidance and investigate/resolve problems and enquiries, in a confidential manager, from internal and external stakeholders.

Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education, and experience:

• Educated to A level or have equivalent relevant education/ experience.
• Strong working understanding, knowledge and experience of payroll, HMRC and Local Government pension regulations.
• Demonstrable deep understanding of payroll & pension matters within a Local Authority environment.
• Strong and in depth understanding and experience of financial controls and procedures.
• In depth expertise across the payroll and finance function with the ability to identify, manage and resolve any complex concerns / problems.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.