Payroll & Pension Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Job summary

EA First Ltd in Lancashire is partnering with a large Multi-Academy Trust to recruit a Payroll & Pensions Manager. This senior, hands-on role leads payroll and pensions across a complex education environment, delivering accurate, compliant services to employees and schools.

You will manage a small team, ensure timely payroll processing, lead pension reporting for TPS and LGPS, and drive process improvements while advising stakeholders on complex payroll matters.

Qualifications

• A recognised payroll qualification, such as CIPP, or equivalent.
• Experience of Teachers' Pensions, LGPS and/or payroll within the education sector is essential.
• Experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
• Strong understanding of current payroll legislation and occupational pension requirements.
• Experience with payroll information systems; iTrent advantageous.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to manage deadlines.
• Confidentiality required in payroll processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the payroll and pension's function and coach Officers.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll activity including starters, leavers, pay changes, backpay, expenses and statutory/occupational payments.
• Act as the key contact for complex payroll and pension queries from HR, Finance, schools and central employees.
• Manage, develop and document payroll processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure payroll calculations and submissions are completed accurately and within deadlines.
• Lead monthly and annual pension reporting across TPS and four LGPS arrangements.
• Manage pension auto-enrolment and LGPS Assumed Pensionable Pay calculations.
• Provide guidance on pension governance, compliance and employer responsibilities.
• Lead payroll and pensions elements of school onboarding and academy conversions.
• Provide specialist advice on education-specific payroll matters.
• Act as contact for HMRC, Teachers' Pensions, LGPS and ONS.
• Prepare P11Ds, PAYE Settlement Agreements, payroll and pensions reporting and statutory returns.
• Work with Finance and HR colleagues and support audits.

Skills

Team leadership

Payroll leadership

Pensions knowledge

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Stakeholder advisory

Confidentiality

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

iTrent

Payroll information systems

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.

EA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy.