Payroll and Pensions Officer – AR

Hackney Council; London Borough of Hackney; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Hackney Council is seeking a competent Payroll and Pensions Officer to join the HR and Payroll team on a short-term assignment. You will deliver payroll and LGPS administration and ensure accuracy of employee records in line with statutory requirements.

The role requires hands-on LGPS administration experience and recent experience using iTrent. You will work in a hybrid pattern, with 2–3 days in the office, and provide timely payroll support to staff and managers.

Qualifications

• Recent LGPS administration experience.
• Hands-on experience using iTrent.
• Experience in payroll, pensions or HR administration.
• Knowledge of payroll processes, pension contributions and statutory deductions.
• Experience handling payroll and pension queries from employees and managers.
• Excellent attention to detail with tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, customer service and organisational skills.
• Ability to handle confidential employee information.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll amendments on iTrent (starters, leavers, salary changes).
• Admin LGPS pension enrolments, contributions and queries.
• Process maternity/paternity/adoption payments.
• Calculate overpayments and investigate payroll discrepancies.
• Process travel and mileage claims per council policy.
• Check back pay and increments for accuracy.
• Provide payroll and pension guidance to staff and managers.
• Produce pension reports and assist with reconciliations.
• Maintain confidential employee records and deadlines.

Skills

LGPS administration

iTrent

Payroll administration

Pension administration

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Organisational skills

Tools

iTrent

Job description

Payroll and Pensions Officer

Location: Hackney Service Centre, London Borough of Hackney
Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2–3 days in the office
Hours: As per assignment requirements
Duration: 3–4 weeks
Pay Rate: £23.62 per hour PAYE

Job Overview

Hackney Council is seeking an experienced Payroll and Pensions Officer to join its HR and Payroll team on a short-term assignment. The successful candidate will provide payroll and pensions administration support, ensuring employee records, payments and pension information are processed accurately and in line with statutory requirements.

The role requires someone who can hit the ground running, with recent Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) administration experience and recent hands-on experience using iTrent.

Key Responsibilities

• Process payroll amendments on iTrent, including starters, leavers, salary changes, secondments and other employee record updates.
• Administer LGPS pension enrolments, contributions, adjustments and employee pension queries.
• Process statutory and occupational maternity, paternity and adoption payments.
• Calculate overpayments, prepare employee correspondence and investigate payroll discrepancies.
• Process travel and mileage claims in accordance with council policies.
• Check back pay and increment reports to ensure employees are paid accurately.
• Provide advice and support to employees and managers regarding payroll and pension matters.
• Produce pension reports and assist with pension reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate, confidential employee records and ensure statutory deadlines are met.

Essential Requirements

• Recent experience administering the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Recent hands-on experience using iTrent.
• Previous experience within payroll, pensions or HR administration.
• Knowledge of payroll processes, pension contributions and statutory deductions, including Tax and National Insurance.
• Experience handling payroll and pension queries from employees and managers.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work accurately to tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, customer service and organisational skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive employee information.

Additional Information

• No mandatory qualifications are required.
• Previous local authority payroll or pensions experience would be advantageous.
• This is a short-term assignment, so candidates must be confident working independently and picking up existing processes quickly.