Payroll & People Advisor

TN United Kingdom; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Payroll & People Advisor to deliver high-quality payroll services in a dynamic public service environment. This role involves managing payroll transactions, resolving queries, and ensuring compliance with legislation. The successful candidate will contribute to service improvements and work collaboratively within a team to enhance customer satisfaction. With a commitment to innovation and flexible working, this position offers a unique opportunity to develop your career while making a positive impact on the community.

Benefits

Flexible Working Arrangements

Support for Unpaid Carers

Employee Benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in compiling employment contracts and knowledge of HMRC legislation.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll processes, ensuring accurate payments and compliance.
• Resolve payroll queries promptly and maintain data integrity.

Skills

Employment Contracts

HMRC Legislation

Tax Knowledge

National Insurance

Pension Contributions

System Testing

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

CIPP Qualification

Tools

Payroll Systems

Job description

Job Description

This position is available as a fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 18 months. It has an Anywhere Worker working style, but attendance at the Chelmsford office is required approximately 1 day a week based on business needs.

We seek candidates with strong experience in compiling contracts of employment, HMRC statutory absence legislation, and knowledge of tax, national insurance, pension contributions, and system testing for user acceptance.

The Payroll service is part of the People, Policy, Economy and Public Health function, aimed at improving employee engagement and customer experience through innovative technology and self-service solutions.

Role Overview

The Payroll & People Advisor will deliver high-quality payroll services, manage a high volume of transactions, resolve payroll queries promptly, and perform analytical processing within payroll disciplines. The role emphasizes clear communication, support, and guidance to users.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate data entry for payments and deductions, supporting employee self-service where possible.
• Resolve complex payroll queries within SLAs.
• Manage payroll processes, including payments, statutory reporting, and compliance.
• Maintain data security and integrity in line with legislation and policies.
• Collaborate within the team to ensure high standards and quality outputs.
• Respond to customer inquiries promptly via various channels.
• Contribute to service improvements and system testing to enhance customer satisfaction.

Experience Required

• Strong knowledge of employment contracts, HMRC legislation, tax, national insurance, and pensions, with system testing experience.
• Professional development in relevant areas, ideally progressing towards a CIPP qualification.
• Experience with payroll systems, statutory payments, deductions, and pension schemes.
• Excellent communication skills, including written and verbal, with a customer-focused approach.
• Experience in a service-oriented environment with a focus on continuous improvement.

Why Essex?

Essex offers a dynamic public service environment, serving over 1.8 million residents across 1,420 square miles. Committed to innovation, flexible working, and community contribution, Essex is an ideal place to develop your career.

In 2025, Essex will participate in the Government’s devolution program, establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by 2026. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and support diversity, including initiatives for disabled applicants, veterans, and care leavers.

We offer employee benefits such as support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements. Essex County Council values integrity and ethical conduct, fostering a respectful workplace. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expect all employees to share this commitment.