Payroll Team Leader

UCL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days’ holiday (27 days annual leave

Defined benefit CARE pension

Cycle to work scheme

Relocation support

On‑site nursery

Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption

Staff support service

Discounted medical insurance

Job summary

UCL is seeking a Payroll Team Leader to oversee the day-to-day payroll function, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while complying with payroll legislation and HMRC requirements. The role involves supervising Payroll Analysts and Advisors, coaching the team, and driving process improvements across the function.

You will monitor legislative developments, support governance initiatives, and provide management information and reporting to senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of end-to-end payroll processes and legislation.
• Proven experience leading payroll teams in large organisations.
• Strong coaching, training and performance management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day payroll operations and ensure accurate, on-time payment.
• Oversee payroll processing, statutory reporting, reconciliations and controls.
• Provide guidance to Payroll Analysts and Advisors; manage workload and development.
• Identify and implement process improvements; maintain SOPs and audit readiness.
• Monitor legislation changes and system updates; support testing and governance.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Leadership

Coaching

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

CIPP Foundation degree

Tools

HR/Payroll IC systems

Job description

Since our founding 200 years ago, UCL has blazed its own trail, fostering a vibrant, diverse community of world-class academics, staff, students, and alumni who aren’t afraid to think big and think differently. Together, we question the status quo, challenge assumptions, and tackle some of the world’s most complex problems head‑on.

Located in the heart of London, UCL is consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the world. With more than 16,000 staff and 50,000 students from 150 different countries, and an annual turnover of more than £1.2 billion a year, we are London’s leading multi‑disciplinary university. Alongside our global reputation for excellence in teaching, we are recognised as one of the most successful and influential research institutions in the world.

UCL’s strategy sets out clear, cross‑university priorities. To turn these bold ambitions into action, we established the Strategic Change Team. The team brings together new and established capabilities and is at the heart of building and delivering a prioritised portfolio of change initiatives. These initiatives will enable UCL to achieve its strategic objectives, deliver cohesive services and implement the enabling digital technologies that support them.

We provide leadership, partnership and hands on help to ensure the delivery of fit‑for‑purpose solutions that create meaningful value for our community. This is your opportunity to bring fresh thinking, make a tangible impact, and help shape transformation across a world‑leading institution.

About the role

The Professional Services (PS) Hub brings together key customer facing and transactional services across different functions; HR, Finance, Estates and IT. The PS Hub is committed to delivering high quality & efficient services, with a real emphasis on customer experience.

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the Payroll Team Leader is responsible for leading the day‑to‑day operation of the payroll function, ensuring all employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, internal policies, and governance standards. The role oversees payroll processing, statutory reporting, reconciliations, payroll controls, and the resolution of complex payroll queries, ensuring a consistently high‑quality service is delivered across the organisation.

Working closely with HR, Finance, and other key stakeholders, the Payroll Team Leader will supervise and support Payroll Analysts and Advisors, manage workload distribution, provide technical guidance, and ensure team members are developed through coaching, training, and regular performance discussions. The role plays a key part in identifying and implementing process improvements, maintaining standard operating procedures, supporting audit requirements, and driving operational efficiency within the payroll function.

The position also has responsibility for monitoring legislative developments and system changes, leading payroll testing activities, supporting compliance and governance initiatives, and providing management information and reporting. Deputising for the Payroll Manager when required, the Payroll Team Leader contributes to strategic objectives while ensuring a responsive, customer‑focused payroll service that supports the wider organisation and delivers operational excellence.

About you

You are a highly experienced payroll professional with extensive knowledge of end‑to‑end payroll processes, payroll legislation, statutory reporting requirements, and HMRC compliance. You bring proven experience of leading payroll teams within large, complex organisations, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and customer service.

You are a proactive leader who enjoys developing and coaching teams, identifying training needs, and creating an environment of continuous improvement. With strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, you are confident managing complex payroll calculations, reviewing controls, conducting audits, and resolving escalated payroll issues. You are comfortable interpreting legislation, implementing process improvements, maintaining robust procedures, and supporting system testing and payroll change initiatives.

You build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including employees, managers, HR, Finance, pension providers, and external bodies. Highly organised and detail‑oriented, you can manage multiple priorities, work effectively under pressure, and maintain confidentiality while delivering excellent customer service. You are committed to accuracy, compliance, collaboration, and finding better ways of working that enhance efficiency and service delivery.

You will have a CIPP Foundation degree and experience of using multiple HR/Payroll Integrated Computer Systems.

What we offer

• 41 days’ holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• Option to purchase 5 additional days’ annual leave
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and immigration loan
• Relocation support for eligible posts
• On‑site nursery and gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Staff Support Service (employee assistance programme)
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

“As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and – for Grade 9 and 10 roles – women.”

Read more: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL’s policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy