Payroll Officer Fixed-Term

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational trust in London is seeking a Payroll Officer to support its payroll team during a six-month maternity leave. The ideal candidate will have strong administrative and ICT skills with experience in HR and payroll systems. The role involves preparing monthly payroll for schools, handling payroll queries, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and policies. This opportunity promises a collaborative and supportive work environment focused on professional growth and development.

Benefits

Access to ongoing professional development

Strong partnerships with schools

Supportive team environment

Comprehensive training and development

Exclusive staff benefits

Qualifications

• Experience of development, management and operation of HR and payroll systems.
• Good knowledge of effective payroll systems.
• Experience of working in HR administration.

Responsibilities

• Support payroll process and ensure accuracy of payroll input documentation.
• Prepare and check payroll data, tax records, and NI contributions.
• Administer maternity and paternity pay schemes.

Skills

Effective use of ICT packages

Strong administrative and organisational skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to relate well to adults

Work constructively as part of a team

Ability to identify own training and development needs

Education

English & Maths GCSE Level 5 and above

CIPD Level 3 and above or similar relevant qualification

Tools

Management Information Systems

Payroll software

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities

• Effective use of ICT packages. (E)
• Experience of using Management Information Systems (D)
• Strong administrative and organisational skills (E)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (E)
• Excellent ICT, communication and keyboard skills (E)
• Full working knowledge of relevant polices/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation. (D)
• Ability to relate well to adults. (E)
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding Trust/school roles and responsibilities and your own position within these. (E)
• Ability to identify own training and development needs and co-operate with means to address these. (E)
• Driving licence and access to own vehicle (D)

Experience

• Experience of development, management and operation of HR and payroll systems. (E)
• Good knowledge of effective payroll systems. (E)
• Experience of working in HR administration (E)

Qualifications

• English & Maths GCSE Level 5 and above (E)
• Good numeracy/literacy skills. (E)
• CIPD Level 3 and above or similar relevant qualification or experience in relevant discipline. (E)

What the school offers its staff

Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST) a rapidly growing Multi-Academy Trust with 19 vibrant primary schools and 1 all-through special educational needs school across Bromley, Kent, Lewisham and Southwark. Over the past five years, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring our schools provide exceptional learning opportunities for every pupil.

We are proud partners with a number of multi-academy trusts and groups of maintained schools, creating a collaborative network that enhances educational experiences across the region. As part of our commitment to developing outstanding teaching, we also oversee the Thames South Teaching School Hub, delivering high-quality teacher training and professional development in Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich.

At NEST, we believe in the power of collaboration. Our schools are united by a shared dedication to creating a culture of continuous learning, where inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Each school plays a vital role in building a strong, interconnected professional learning community, driving success across our entire trust.

We are driven by a clear, moral purpose:

“To provide excellence and opportunity for all, transforming lives through education and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow”

Nexus Education Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS clearance.

We’re proud to offer:

• Endless Growth Opportunities: Access to ongoing professional development to help you thrive in your career.
• Thriving Partnerships: Strong collaborations with schools to enhance your impact and network.
• A Happy and Supportive Team: Work alongside a motivated, friendly, and encouraging group of professionals. We are committed to helping you achieve your professional goals.
• Comprehensive Training and Development: NEST supports the continuous growth of all our staff.
• Course and Qualification Opportunities: Enhance your skills for your current role or prepare for future opportunities.
• Career Advancement: Gain qualifications that can help you progress within the organisation.
• Resources You Deserve: A well-equipped environment with the tools and support you need to succeed.
• Innovative Culture: Join an organisation that values creativity, teamwork, and fresh ideas.
• Exclusive Perks: Enjoy staff benefits like the Cycle to Work scheme and technology discounts.
• Special Discounts: Gain access to CSSC Benefits, BHN Extras and Blue Light Card savings, making your life outside work even better.

Further details about the role

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to support our payroll team during a period of maternity leave for a fixed-term of 6 months initially. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our in house payroll function for our Trust and its 20 schools plus nurseries and before & after school clubs. Working in the Education Sector is highly rewarding, we are looking for a Payroll Officer who understands the needs of our schools and pupils and is committed to delivering an efficient customer focused payroll service. You will be part of a dedicated HR & payroll team, working closely with our Finance and Central HR teams to deliver a seamless, professional service that supports our staff and upholds our high standards.

If you thrive in a fast-paced setting which places it's staff and the pupils we serve at the heart of everything we do, have a keen eye for detail, and are passionate about delivering excellent customer service in payroll operations, we’d love to hear from you.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To be responsible for supporting the payroll process, preparing the Trust and schools’ monthly payroll and providing support to the Finance Team, being responsible for meeting all monthly in-house payroll and returns deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll responsibilities:

• To collate all payroll input documentation and ensure all claims for salary, overtime, etc are correct and authorised by approved personnel
• To ensure that all relevant information relating to tax codes, NI contributions, student loans, tax credits, other deductions, etc. are accurately recorded/input
• To prepare, input and check payroll data
• To calculate pay variations, back pay, etc
• To administer statutory and contractual maternity and paternity pay schemes
• To administer absence reporting and recording processes, ensuring that all absence is reported, recorded and followed up in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• To record all employee sickness and prepare monthly statutory sickness returns
• To ensure that all annual increments and other salary alterations/variations are authorised and implemented correctly
• To manage the payslip system and deal with routine payroll queries
• To ensure that all leaver administration is correctly carried out and P45s issued
• To check/reconcile payroll data against budget costings
• To prepare and record monthly payments to Inland Revenue, pension schemes, etc
• Preparation of reconciliation and recording of gross and net payroll costs
• Preparation of end of year returns re tax, NI, pension contributions etc
• Prepare and maintain staffing cost spreadsheet to assist with budget planning
• To administer all pensions schemes (Teachers and Support Staff)
• Prepare BACS payments to employees/HMRC/TP/support staff pension schemes
• Analysis and preparation of financial/statistical data, as required
• To assist with financial end of year processes

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.