Payroll & Benefits Manager

Payroll Elite Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Payroll Elite Ltd is seeking a leader to manage its end-to-end payroll and pensions function within a college setting. You will act as the payroll and TPS expert, ensuring accurate, timely processing and compliance with statutory, regulatory and audit requirements.

You will lead payroll administration, pensions management, and reporting, maintaining secure records, supporting the annual audit, and collaborating with HR/Finance/IT to optimise processes and data flows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full monthly payroll cycle for all staff groups.
• Prepare, verify and process payroll changes including starters, leavers and contractual variations.
• Ensure RTI submissions, PAYE, NI and HMRC compliance are completed accurately and on time.
• Reconcile payroll reports and control accounts; investigate discrepancies and drive corrective actions.
• Produce payroll journals for upload to the Finance system and maintain audit-ready records.
• Administer pensions schemes including TPS; manage auto-enrolment processes and annual pension data.
• Prepare year-end reports (P60s, P11Ds) and support statutory audits.
• Maintain robust payroll governance, data security per GDPR, and stakeholder confidentiality.

Job description

To lead, manage and administer the College's end-to-end payroll and pensions function, ensuring accurate, secure and timely processing in compliance with statutory, regulatory and audit requirements. The postholder will act as the College's subject matter expert for payroll and pensions particularly the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) ensuring compliance, providing high-quality support to staff, and maintaining accurate financial and HR records.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Manage the full monthly payroll cycle for all staff groups
• Prepare, verify and process all payroll changes including starters, leavers, contractual variations, overtime, allowances and statutory payments.
• Ensure RTI submissions, statutory deductions, PAYE, National Insurance, Apprenticeship Levy and all HMRC requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Reconcile monthly payroll reports and control accounts, investigate discrepancies and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Produce monthly and annual payroll journals for upload to the Finance system.
• Develop and maintain robust internal controls to ensure payroll integrity and audit readiness
• Maintain secure and accurate payroll records in accordance with GDPR.
• Provide support for annual statutory audit

Pensions Administration

• Administer all School pension schemes, including:
  • Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS)
  • Defined contribution or group personal pension arrangements
• Ensure accurate contribution calculations, monthly returns and statutory submissions.
• Manage auto-enrolment processes and re-enrolment cycles in line with legislation.
• Prepare annual pension audit data, respond to auditor queries and ensure compliance with scheme rules.
• Act as the College's internal expert on TPS, ensuring compliance with scheme rules
• Provide guidance to employees on pension processes (not formal financial advice).

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all payroll and pensions processes comply with employment law, HMRC regulations, TPS guidance and statutory deadlines.
• Prepare year-end reports including P60s, P11Ds, Teachers' Pensions EOYC and other statutory statements.
• Support the development and upkeep of payroll and pensions policies and guidance, ensuring best practice and continuous improvement.
• Support safeguarding compliance by understanding and upholding confidentiality and safer recruitment requirements.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and update the School's HR/Payroll/Finance systems with high data accuracy.
• Lead a review and redesign of payroll workflows to eliminate manual steps and improve efficiency
• Assist with system changes, upgrades, or implementation of new payroll or HRIS solutions where required.
• Develop and maintain efficient workflows, checklists and controls to ensure robust payroll governance.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and IT to optimise data flows and system integration

Stakeholder Support

• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll and pensions queries from staff.
• Work collaboratively with HR, Finance, IT and departmental managers to support payroll-related activity.
• Provide clear, professional communication to stakeholders at all levels