Payroll Services Lead

Dorset Police/ Devon and Cornwall Police; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset Police/ Devon and Cornwall Police is recruiting a Payroll Services Lead to manage payroll processes across both forces. This permanent, full-time role (37 hours) offers hybrid working with bases at Exeter or Winfrith.

You will lead a payroll team of around 20, collaborate with the Payroll & Pension Data Analyst, ensure data accuracy, and support senior payroll leaders in delivering a comprehensive payroll service while complying with SLAs and statutory requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a payroll environment with a recognised qualification.
• Proven experience leading or supervising a payroll team and prioritising work.
• Strong IT skills including computerised payroll or financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll processes and service delivery to ensure high quality, accurate and efficient service.
• Lead and support the payroll team, coordinating with the Payroll & Pension Data Analyst.
• Maintain data accuracy and consistency and support the Payroll & Pensions Manager.
• Ensure compliance with SLAs, statutory requirements and established policies.

Skills

Payroll experience

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

CIPP or equivalent qualification

Tools

Computerised payroll systems

IT skills

Job description

Payroll Services Lead

Location: Hybrid with the option to be based at either our HQ in Exeter or Winfrith

Salary: Starts at £40,383 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £44,700 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)

Join our Payroll Department, a team of 20 professionals delivering payroll services across Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. Based at either our Exeter or Winfrith headquarters, this hybrid role offers flexible home working alongside the opportunity to work with colleagues across both locations. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a supportive and professional team that provides an essential service to two police forces.

As Payroll Services Lead, you will manage payroll processes and service delivery, leading and supporting the payroll team to ensure a high-quality, accurate and efficient service. Working closely with the Payroll & Pension Data Analyst, you will help maintain data accuracy and consistency, while supporting the Payroll & Pensions Manager and Head of Payroll & Pensions in delivering a comprehensive payroll service. You will ensure compliance with service level agreements, statutory requirements and established policies and procedures.

About you

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience in a payroll environment and a recognised payroll or financial qualification, such as CIPP or an equivalent relevant qualification. You will have proven experience of leading or supervising a team, with the ability to prioritise work, delegate effectively and respond to changing demands while meeting deadlines. Strong IT skills are essential, including experience of computerised payroll or financial systems.

You will be a confident communicator who can build positive working relationships at all levels, providing excellent customer service while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality. Alongside this, you will bring strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess needs, identify practical solutions and make informed decisions within established policies and guidelines. If you are an organised, collaborative and customer-focused payroll professional looking to make a meaningful contribution, we would love to hear from you.

What you get if you join us:

If you work for us, you will get access to:

• A competitive salary with yearly increments.
• Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
• Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one-off payment of £5).
• Company sick pay.
• Competitive local government pension scheme.
• Job related equipment supplied, as required.
• Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
• Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
• Support networks, free Employees' Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
• Development and training opportunities available.
• Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
• Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
• Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).

The closing date for applications is 14/09/2026