Payroll & People Advisor (Fixed Term Contract)

TN United Kingdom; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Payroll & People Advisor for a fixed-term contract in Chelmsford. This role combines a strong understanding of payroll processes with a commitment to providing high-quality customer service. You will be responsible for ensuring accurate payroll transactions, resolving queries, and supporting employees in using self-service options. With a focus on continuous improvement and collaboration, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic public service environment while enjoying flexible working arrangements. If you thrive in a customer-oriented setting and are eager to make a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible Working Arrangements

Employee Benefits for Carers

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of payroll processes and statutory payments.
• Experience in compiling contracts of employment and user acceptance testing.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate data input for payroll administration and compliance.
• Resolve complex payroll queries within agreed service standards.

Skills

Payroll Systems

HMRC Statutory Absence Legislation

Tax Knowledge

National Insurance Knowledge

Pension Regulation Knowledge

Customer Service Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

CIPP Qualification

Tools

Payroll Software

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Payroll & People Advisor (Fixed Term Contract), Chelmsford

col-narrow-left

Client:

Essex County Council

Location:

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Reference:

7ad07b25ff9c

Job Views:

2

Posted:

26.04.2025

Expiry Date:

10.06.2025

col-wide

Job Description:

Payroll & People Advisor (Fixed Term Contract)

Fixed Term, Full Time

£26,315 up to £30,959 per annum

Working Style:

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 18 months.

This position has an Anywhere Worker working style, but we will require you to attend the office in Chelmsford on average 1 day a week around business need.

We are looking for someone with a strong understanding and experience of compiling contracts of employment and HMRC statutory absence legislation, also knowledge of tax, national insurance and pension regulation contributions and system knowledge to undertake user acceptance testing.

The Payroll service sits within the People, Policy, Economy and Public Health function. To influence both the customer and employee experience in a key area of employee engagement. Providing a comprehensive service, investing in a new technology to better support our users and enable an empowered self-service and support function.

The Payroll & People Advisor will provide a high-quality payroll and a customer focused transactional service. Using a depth of business knowledge in dealing with a high volume of diverse transactions and working to strict deadlines. With responsibility for resolving payroll queries and performing an analytical processing role within one or more payroll disciplines.

You will provide support and resolutions quickly and efficiently at the first point of call. Our ethos is to provide advice, support and guidance that is simple, clear, efficient, and effective, this includes communication, terminology, and our processes.

The role requires a strong understanding of HMRC statutory absence legislation, also knowledge of tax, national insurance and pension regulation contributions and system knowledge to undertake user acceptance testing.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for ensuring data input is accurate to ensure payments and deductions are correctly administered, in line with statutory and contractual requirements. Pensions contributions. Where possible supporting and guiding employees in using self-service.
• Responsible for resolving complex payroll queries to ensure timeframes are met within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Responsible for payroll processes generating payments to employees and third parties, along with associated internal/external statutory reporting.
• Support the requirement for ensuring the integrity and security of personal, contractual and financial information, to meet legislation and Council policies.
• Work collaboratively within a team, to ensure work is processed and delivered to a high standard, ensuring quality of outputs.
• Responding effectively to customers’ enquiries in a timely and professional manner and meeting service standards, this can be via the customer portal, in writing, or verbally in a call or meeting.
• Supports the drive to improve the service and quality of outputs and system testing to ensure customer expectations are exceeded.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• We are looking for someone with a strong understanding and experience of compiling contracts of employment and HMRC statutory absence legislation, also knowledge of tax, national insurance and pension regulation contributions and system knowledge to undertake user acceptance testing.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in relevant professional area, working towards a CIPP qualification.
• Responsible for ensuring data input is accurate to ensure payments and deductions are correctly administered, in line with statutory and contractual requirements.
• Experience of using payroll systems to deliver a high-quality service.
• Good working knowledge of payroll processes including statutory payments, deductions, and pension schemes.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to deliver good practice and advice on policy.
• Ability to communicate effectively, demonstrating empathy, listening, and questioning skills to a very high level, with a high standard of written communication.
• Experience of working in a customer-orientated environment, dealing with queries in a service delivery setting and continuously seeking to improve the services provided.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please

Follow us on,, and. Further details can be found on our.