Payroll & HR Officer

Ancala Water Services (Defence) Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water services company is seeking a Payroll & HR Officer to manage payroll functions and provide HR support. This hybrid role in Barnsley involves processing payroll, maintaining employee records, and liaising with external partners. Ideal candidates will have CIPP Level 3 certification and solid payroll experience. The team fosters an inclusive environment, and the position offers flexible hours and generous leave policies, making it perfect for those passionate about HR and payroll.

Benefits

25 days leave plus bank holidays

Volunteering days

Pension scheme

Healthcare plan

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Solid end-to-end payroll experience is essential.
• Must have CIPP Level 3 Certification or equivalent experience.
• Experience in generalist HR roles is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll, salaries, deductions, and benefits accurately.
• Maintain accurate employee records and generate reports.
• Support the HR team and manage the HR inbox.

Skills

End-to-end payroll experience

Clear communication skills

MS Office skills

Attention to detail

Education

CIPP Level 3 Advanced Payroll Technician Certificate

Tools

MoorePay

Job description

Role

Payroll & HR Officer

Location

Hybrid, Barnsley, S75 1JN (min. 2 office days per week)

Role Type

16m FTC Maternity Cover, 30-37 hours per week or condensed hours (were flexible! Simply specify on your application)

Salary: up to £37,500 per annum pro-rata DOE

About the Role

At Ancala Water Services, we make sure over 1,000 MOD sites across England and Wales have first‑class water services which is no small feat! And to ensure we keep our services running smoothly, we’re now seeking to appoint a Payroll & HR Officer within the small but mighty HR team. You’ll not only be a dab hand at all things payroll but you’ll also own core HR workstreams such as probation periods, occupational health referrals and being the first point of contact for a wide range of general enquiries.

Are you passionate, professional and precise when it comes to payroll? Are you keen to develop your HR generalist skills? Are you always on the lookout for ways to delight your customers? And do your data skills put others to shame? If you’re looking for your next payroll position, why not start with us? We’re looking for someone who:

• Has solid end‑to‑end payroll experience


• Thrives in a methodical stand‑alone role


• Communicates clearly and confidently


• Loves being part of a collaborative and supportive HR super squad

About You

Our ideal candidate will be a CIPP Level 3 Advanced Payroll Technician Certificate qualified individual with the experience and skill to take ownership of our payroll function for around 150 employees. This is a stand‑alone, autonomous role working with an external payroll agency and is the perfect role for someone who thrives in an employee‑first, inclusive environment. We’re an SME with a big heart so our payroll isn’t just about numbers, it’s about making sure every employee feels valued, respected and looked after. We want someone who understands the human side of payroll and who sees beyond the process by putting people first. You’ll be working closely with our payroll partner, Moorepay, to ensure everything runs smoothly, accurately and on time.

If you’re confident, experienced and driven about making a real difference in a workplace that genuinely cares, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Accurately processing payroll, salaries, deductions and benefits


• Maintaining up‑to‑date and accurate employee records across multiple platforms, generating reports as required


• Providing a day‑to‑day wide‑ranging HR generalist support and guidance service and managing the busy HR inbox


• Liaising with external partners (Moorepay, HMRC, Medigold) and senior internal stakeholders


• Supporting the wider HR Team where required

What You’ll Bring

• Experience of administering monthly payroll function either in‑house or via a third‑party provider (essential)


• CIPP Level 3 Advanced Payroll Technician Certificate or equivalent, demonstrable experience


• Proven experience within a generalist HR role is desirable OR effective, seasoned administration experience with a keen willingness to be shown the HR ropes!


• Intermediate‑Advanced MS Office Skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) and ability to learn new systems (MoorePay)


• Sound communication skills, both written and verbal to enable production of legal, employment and payroll documentation


• Meticulously methodical with an acute attention to detail is vital


• Confidence and ability to communicate via written and spoken methods to employees at all levels

Why Choose AWS?

• 25 days leave per annum PLUS bank holidays AND birthday day off


• 2 × volunteering days every year


• Buy / sell leave


• Westfield healthcare plan for you and your dependents


• Generous pension scheme


• Flexible working hours


• 4 × life assurance


• Critical illness cover


• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits


• Discount portal and lots, lots more!

Who Can Apply?

Given the nature of our work, we do have security clearance requirements so you must be prepared to undergo full residential and government checks for the past three years.

If this sounds like your kind of role, we’d love to hear from you. Join our team and help us make a difference.

You can reach out to us at

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