Senior Payroll Officer

Kirklees College; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff development opportunities

Mentoring scheme

Employee assistance programme

Retail and leisure discounts

Reduced Metro travel

Job summary

Kirklees College is seeking a Senior Payroll Officer to join the team at the Huddersfield Centre. You’ll deliver an accurate, timely and compliant payroll service across the full employee lifecycle and work 37 hours per week.

The role involves processing payroll data, month-end and pension returns, HMRC and pension payments, reconciliations and year-end processes. You’ll also handle complex/ ad-hoc payments, including redundancies, and collaborate with Payroll, HR and Finance while maintaining

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll processing across the employee lifecycle.
• Ability to analyse and communicate complex information.
• Work autonomously with discretion and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Process and check payroll information across the full employee lifecycle.
• Ensure staff and external agencies are paid accurately and on time.
• Handle complex payroll activity, month-end statutory and pension returns.
• Make payments to HMRC and pension providers, and perform reconciliations and year-end processes.
• Support processing of complex or ad-hoc payments including redundancies.

Education

Level 2 qualification in Maths and English

Level 4 qualification in Accountancy, Payroll or equivalent

Job description

Job Reference: ATR110728
Application deadline: 29/11/2026
Salary: £29,291.00 - £30,786.00

Job Description

Job Title:

Senior Payroll Officer

Salary:

£29,291 - £30,786

Location:

Huddersfield

Hours and Weeks per Year:

37 hours / 52 weeks

At Kirklees College we are always looking for new talent, and welcome applications from all sectors.

Whether in a teaching & learning role or in one of our specialised Business Support functions, you’ll be involved in nurturing and developing the next generation of construction workers, engineers, health workers and countless others.

We’re already a successful college, but we’re continually striving to be better and do better - be part of our story!

In the role of Senior Payroll Officer, you’ll predominantly be based at the Huddersfield Centre and will play a key role in delivering an accurate, timely and compliant payroll service for the College.

Your core responsibilities will include processing and checking payroll information across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring staff and external agencies are paid accurately and on time. Alongside the day-to-day payroll cycle, you’ll take greater responsibility for complex payroll activity, month-end statutory and pension returns, payments to HMRC and pension providers, reconciliations and year-end processes. You’ll also support the processing of more complex and ad-hoc payments, including redundancy and severance payments.

You’ll work closely with colleagues across Payroll, HR and Finance, helping to investigate and resolve payroll issues, maintain effective controls and ensure payroll procedures, guidance and checklists remain accurate and up to date. You’ll use your knowledge and experience to proactively identify opportunities to improve payroll services and systems, support internal and external audits and deputise for more senior payroll colleagues when required.

Ideally, you’ll have a Level 2 qualification in Maths and English and a Level 4 qualification in Accountancy, Payroll or equivalent experience, together with demonstrable payroll experience. You’ll have a strong understanding of payroll processes across the employee lifecycle and be confident analysing and communicating complex information. You’ll be able to work autonomously, use your initiative to resolve issues and communicate effectively with colleagues and external organisations, while exercising appropriate discretion and confidentiality.

This role would particularly suit an experienced payroll professional who is comfortable taking ownership of complex payroll activity and is looking to develop their technical knowledge and wider responsibilities within a large organisation.

Due to the nature of our work, it’s essential you’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• Staff development opportunities include a mentoring scheme, financial contributions for external qualifications and skills development for current and aspiring managers.
• You’ll also have access to a range of staff benefits including an employee assistance programme, retail and leisure discounts and reduced Metro travel.

We want people who believe in the value of education, and who can contribute to our culture of supporting and challenging one another.

Closing Date : 29 th November 2026

(We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications)

As an employer we are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of an individuals’ sex, age, religion, race, marital status, disability status, sexual orientation, maternity or care leaver status. We are committed to exploring opportunities for flexible working and ensuring the work-life balance and wellbeing of our workforce. Please note that any job offer is subject to pre-employment checks including a DBS check, online searches and references from former employers, in line with guidance from Department for Education.