System Development Officer (Payroll) - 37 Hours

Torbay Council; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay Council is seeking a System Development Officer (Payroll) to join a small, solutions-driven team. You will support payroll systems (ResourceLink), contribute to project work, and help shape our HR/Payroll applications across the organisation.

The role involves working on system upgrades, testing, and driving efficiencies with a forward-thinking approach. Collaboration with IT and HR is essential, and a flexible office/remote setup is available.

Qualifications

• Experience in ICT helpdesk or related technical support role.
• Experience with system administration and handling sensitive information.
• GCSEs including Maths and English (C or above) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Identify system issues, investigate causes and apply resolutions.
• Support and develop payroll (ResourceLink) and other HR systems.
• Contribute to system projects with innovative input and testing.
• Assist in upgrading and testing systems.
• Provide training to colleagues and users to ensure knowledge transfer.

Skills

IT literacy

Data analysis

Problem solving

Influencing

Training

Education

GCSE English and Maths

Tools

ResourceLink

Power BI

Job description

System Development Officer (Payroll) - 37 Hours

Application Deadline: 18 September 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Torbay Council

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: £36,581 - £39,481 / year

Description

Job Description & Person Specification >

Torbay Council is a small unitary authority enabling us to make things happen quickly and there's always something new and interesting happening. We have a real momentum building and have a shared sense of purpose and ambition. If you do too, join us.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of our solutions driven team. With the Local Government Reorganisation decision recently being announced, you will be part of a small development team working to implement new functionality, challenging current practises and methodology. This is a fast-paced area of work, where teamwork and collaboration are key, and ambition and learning is encouraged!

The successful candidate will be ambitious for the service, bringing new ideas and initiatives. Typical areas of the work you will be involved in:

• Identifying system issues, investigating the cause, and applying agreed resolutions.
• Supporting and development of payroll (ResourceLink) and other HR systems.
• Creative input into system projects.
• Challenging ideas to encourage innovative change.
• System upgrades and testing.

As a Systems Development Officer, your technical expertise and forward-thinking approach contribute to the development and implementation of proposals that enhance our Corporate (Payroll/HR) solutions. Your collaboration with internal user groups and technical teams reflects your commitment to driving efficiency and optimising application usage. As a bridge between technology and business needs, you play a pivotal role in enabling the organisation to harness the full potential of its applications.

We have recently migrated our payroll solution (ResourceLink) to the cloud allowing for increased functionality (which included the implementation of a mobile app) and this role will be pivotal in determining its future development and use. We are also in the process of developing our Power BI offering, giving us the opportunity to influence its metrics and styling. Future projects include agency workers and volunteers details recording in a central database. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in payroll with experience in system implementation projects.

All team members are currently permanent home workers, however, if you prefer an office setting this can also be accommodated. Applications are welcome from candidates across the UK.

If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/system-development-officer-payroll

For an informal chat please contact Darren Mathers on 01803 207398 or [e-mail].

Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 28th September 2026.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

At times there is a need to close our adverts earlier than the date specified, however this advert will not close before 1st September.

Skills

Essential:

• High levels of IT literacy, data analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to problem solve to reach resolution of issues.
• Ability to influence to reach desired outcomes.
• Ability to train and support colleagues and customers in using systems to ensure knowledge transfer.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Knowledge and up to date experience of working with ICT, HR and Payroll systems.
• Knowledge of producing specifications for report writing.
• Knowledge of applying system updates and testing systems.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Experience of working in an ICT helpdesk type role, providing technical support and guidance resolving queries as necessary.
• Experience of system administration and development of a system which contains sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience of reviewing and improving systems and processes.
• Experience of delivering ICT training to work colleagues and customer.
• Educated to GCSE qualifications standard, to include Maths and English at Grade C or above, or equivalent.