Payroll Services Lead - Dorset Police

BCP Council; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25 days

Hybrid working

Onsite parking

Pension scheme

Employee support programme

Job summary

Dorset Police is seeking a Payroll Services Lead to join our hybrid payroll team, based at Exeter or Winfrith HQs. You will manage payroll processes and lead a small team delivering accurate, compliant payroll services across Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police.

You will collaborate with the Payroll & Pension Data Analyst, ensuring SLAs and statutory requirements are met while maintaining data accuracy.

Qualifications

• Experience in a payroll environment with a recognised payroll/financial qualification (e.g., CIPP).
• Experience leading or supervising a team and meeting deadlines.
• Strong IT skills and experience with computerised payroll/financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage payroll processes and service delivery.
• Support Payroll & Pension Data Analyst and the Payroll & Pensions Manager.
• Ensure compliance with SLAs, statutory requirements and policies.
• Maintain data accuracy and consistency across systems.

Skills

Payroll management experience

Team leadership

Strong IT skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

CIPP or equivalent payroll/financial qualification

Job description

Dorset Police Website

Salary: Starts at £40,383 rising to £44,700 per annum + Excellent Benefits including Government Pension

Location: Hybrid Working/Devon & Cornwall Police HQ, Exeter or Dorset Police HQ, Winfrith (Office attendance - minimum 1 day per week subject to change as per business requirements)

Closing Date: 14th September 2026, Midday

Hours per week: 37 hours per week. However, we welcome applications from individuals wishing to work on a part-time basis and we are willing to consider flexible working patterns subject to business need.

About The Role

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.

Want to know more about this role?

Hiring Line Manager:

Michaela LANGLEY - Payroll and Pensions Manager

Email: [e-mail]

What You Get If You Join Us

• A competitive salary with yearly increments.
• 25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees).
• 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).