Payroll & Pension Manager

EA First Compass House; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (3 days onsite/2 days)

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Professional development opportunities

Free parking at sites

Job summary

EA First is partnering with a large Multi-Academy Trust in Lancashire to recruit a Payroll & Pensions Manager. You will lead the payroll and pensions service across a complex education environment, coaching three officers and ensuring accuracy and compliance.

The role blends operational delivery with leadership, governance and continuous improvement across Teachers' Pensions and LGPS, with hybrid working and a real impact on outcomes for staff and schools.

Qualifications

• Recognised payroll qualification (CIPP or equivalent).
• Experience with Teachers' Pensions and LGPS in education sector is essential.
• Experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
• Strong understanding of current payroll legislation and pension requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll and pensions function and coach three Officers.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll activity including starters, leavers, pay changes and backpay.
• Act as key contact for complex payroll and pension queries from HR, Finance, schools and central staff.
• Develop, document and improve payroll processes for efficiency and compliance.
• Ensure payroll calculations and submissions are accurate and timely.
• Lead pension reporting for Teachers' Pension Scheme and LGPS arrangements, including MCR/EOYC submissions.
• Manage auto enrolment and LGPS Assumed Pensionable Pay calculations.
• Provide guidance on pension governance, compliance and employer responsibilities.
• Support onboarding of new schools and academy conversions.
• Advise on term-time pay and other education-specific payroll matters.
• Coordinate with external bodies such as HMRC, Teachers' Pensions, LGPS and ONS.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR and support financial audit requirements.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Pensions management

Stakeholder advisory

iTrent experience

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

iTrent

Job description

EA First is delighted to be partnering with a large and successful Multi-Academy Trust in Lancashire to recruit a Payroll & Pensions Manager. This is a senior, hands on payroll leadership opportunity with responsibility for payroll and pensions across a complex education environment.

Our client is an established Multi-Academy Trust with schools across its network and a central support function based in Lancashire. With employees participating in both the Teachers' Pension Scheme and four Local Government Pension Schemes, the role offers significant technical breadth and will suit someone who enjoys combining operational payroll delivery with leadership, compliance and continuous improvement.

As Payroll & Pensions Manager, you will take ownership of the Trust's payroll and pensions service, ensuring an accurate, compliant and efficient service is delivered to employees and schools.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the payroll and pension's function and managing and coaching three Payroll & Pensions Officers.
• Overseeing end to end payroll activity, including starters, leavers, pay changes, backpay, expenses and statutory/occupational payments.
• Acting as the key point of contact for complex payroll and pension queries from HR, Finance, schools and central employees.
• Managing, developing and documenting payroll processes and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Ensuring payroll calculations and submissions are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Leading monthly and annual pension reporting across the Teachers' Pension Scheme and four LGPS arrangements, including MCR and EOYC submissions.
• Managing pension auto enrolment and LGPS Assumed Pensionable Pay calculations.
• Providing guidance on pension governance, compliance and employer responsibilities.
• Leading the payroll and pensions elements of future school onboarding and academy conversions.
• Providing specialist advice on education specific payroll matters including term time pay, shared parental leave and relevant terms and conditions.
• Acting as a key contact for external organisations including HMRC, Teachers' Pensions, LGPS and ONS.
• Preparing P11Ds, PAYE Settlement Agreements, payroll and pensions reporting and other statutory returns.
• Working closely with Finance and HR colleagues across the organisation and supporting financial audit requirements.

We are looking for an experienced payroll professional who can combine strong technical knowledge with effective team leadership.

The successful candidate will ideally demonstrate:

• A recognised payroll qualification, such as CIPP, or equivalent.
• Previous experience of Teachers' Pensions, LGPS and/or payroll within the education sector is essential.
• Previous experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
• A strong understanding of current payroll legislation and occupational pension requirements.
• Experience of working with payroll information systems; experience of iTrent would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• The confidence to advise stakeholders on complex payroll and pension matters.
• Excellent attention to detail and an understanding of the confidentiality required within payroll.

Payroll & Pensions Manager:

• £55,000 - £61,000 per annum
• Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of approximately 16%.
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Hybrid working model (3 days onsite / 2 days remote).
• Flexible working arrangements.
• 37 hour working week.
• Reduced hours considered.
• Free parking at all sites.
• Professional development opportunities and study support.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a highly respected education organisation committed to improving outcomes for young people.