S68/26 - Finance Officer - Payroll

South Eastern Regional College; Newtownards; Remote; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days annual leave + 12 public hols

NILGOSC CARE pension scheme

Corporate healthcare cash plan

Annual health checks onsite

Gym facilities onsite

Cycle to Work

CPD via Learning Academy

Job summary

South Eastern Regional College in Newtownards is seeking a Finance Officer - Payroll to join the Finance team. The role supports payroll operations for staff salaries across corporate and lecturing payroll, with responsibility for processing travel and subsistence claims.

The post is full-time, permanent, 36 hours per week, based at Newtownards Campus, with an emphasis on accuracy and timely processing in line with month-end deadlines.

Qualifications

• Hold a minimum of a Level 4 qualification.
• Demonstrate a minimum of two years’ payroll processing experience to strict month deadlines.
• Demonstrate a minimum of two years’ payroll liaison/communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional support to the Payroll Manager in processing payroll operations for the College.
• Maintain and operate payroll systems for payment of staff salaries for corporate and lecturing payroll.
• Process travel and subsistence claims.
• In the absence of the finance assistant, process the PTL payroll template.
• Work across the Finance department as required.

Skills

Payroll processing

Payroll liaison/communication

Education

Level 4 qualification

Job description

• Band 5, SCP 20 - 25, £32,597 - £36,363 per annum

Finance Officer - Payroll

Full-time, permanent post, 36 hours per week. Monday to Thursday 8.45am – 5pm & Friday 8.45am – 3.30pm Newtownards Campus

ABOUT US

Northern Ireland’s Further Education sector is a key driver of both economic and social inclusion. SERC as a college is a hub of innovation, collaboration and industry partnerships along with a strong community focus. We pride ourselves on delivering internationally recognised high-quality, industry-relevant courses, which equip our students with the skills necessary to grow and shape our economy and to transform their own lives in doing so. We are committed to continuous improvement and to fostering a supportive culture of creativity and inclusivity as a catalyst for success.

If you’re interested in being part of a dynamic and forward-thinking institution that helps benefit society and creates transformational opportunities for learners, SERC may have a role for you.

The College offers a wide range of employee benefits, rewards and recognitions:

• 24 days annual leave + 12 public holidays (plus 6 additional annual leave days after 5 years’ service)
• Additional leave to supplement closures during Easter, July & Christmas.
• NILGOSC defined benefiter CARE pension scheme with employer contribution rate of 15.5%.
• Corporate healthcare cash plan scheme.
• Annual free health checks onsite.
• Access to College gym facilities free of charge along with reduced rate membership with a range of gyms.
• Mind Yourself health & wellbeing initiatives.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Teachers Credit Union.
• Access to hair, nail & beauty salons onsite.
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities via our dedicated Learning Academy.

We currently have a vacancy for a Finance Officer - Payroll.

JOB PURPOSE

The Payroll Officer will provide professional support to the Payroll Manager in processing payroll operations for the College. The post holder will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the payroll systems for payment of staff salaries relating to corporate and lecturing payroll. The post holder will be responsible for processing travel and subsistence claims. In absence of the finance assistant, the post holder will be responsible for the processing of the PTL payroll template.

The post holder is a member of the Finance team and will work across the whole Finance department when circumstances require.

ESSENTIAL ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Hold a minimum of a Level 4 qualification.
• Demonstrate a minimum oftwoyears’ experience of payroll processing*to strict month deadlines, including managing all aspects of payrollincluding statutory deductions,benefitsand year-end operations.
• Demonstrate a minimum of two years’ experience of payrollliaison/communication with both internal and external stakeholders.

*Defined as processing payroll for 250+ employees.

*Please be advised that Essential Criteria 4-6 will be assessed at interview only.

For further information on the main duties and responsibilities of this role, please see attached job description.

Downloads

• Accessibility at SERC with AccessAble Candidate Information Booklet
• Corporate roles
• Disability Equality Statement
• Employee Benefits Rewards and Recognition Booklet 2026
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Job Description