Team Leader - Payroll Payments and Projects

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth; City Of London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in London is seeking a Team Leader for Payroll, Payments and Projects. You will oversee the management of payroll operations and drive strategic projects within a dedicated team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in payroll procedures and extensive experience in pension processing. This full-time role offers a starting salary of £43,545-£52,767 per year with generous benefits including annual leave and a pension plan.

Benefits

40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays)

Flexible working

Generous pension plan

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of payroll procedures and defined benefit pension schemes.
• Extensive experience in pension and payroll processing.
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly.

Responsibilities

• Drive the successful implementation of a new pensioner payroll and payments system.
• Manage ongoing payroll operations and pensioner services.
• Contribute to annual service-wide projects.
• Champion innovation through new technologies and process improvements.

Skills

Strong understanding of payroll procedures and defined benefit pension schemes

Working knowledge of HMRC Taxation Rules and The Pensions Regulator’s requirements

Extensive experience in pension and payroll processing

Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (specifically advanced Excel for data analysis and reporting)

Ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly to a range of stakeholders

Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines

Customer care excellence

Proactive and creative approach to problem-solving and process improvement

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Team Leader – Payroll, Payments and Projects

Salary Range: £43,545- £52,767 per year (starting salary dependent on experience)

Permanent – Fulltime (36hours)

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in delivering pensioner payroll operations and driving forward strategic projects for the Pensions Shared Service.

Your Mission

The Pensions Shared Service is bringing pensioner payroll under direct control and separating it from our partner Councils’ systems. Once implemented, as Team Leader, you’ll report to the Pensions Manager and be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Payroll, Payments and Projects Team, including Pensions Officers and Assistants.

What You’ll Do

• Drive the successful implementation of a new pensioner payroll and payments system
• Manage ongoing payroll operations and pensioner services
• Contribute to annual service-wide projects
• Champion innovation through new technologies and process improvements
• Provide expert guidance to colleagues, senior leaders, and external stakeholder

Who We Are

The Pensions Shared Service is based in Wandsworth Town Hall and runs the administration of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) for five London boroughs: Camden, Merton, Richmond, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding of payroll procedures and defined benefit pension schemes
• Working knowledge of HMRC Taxation Rules and The Pensions Regulator’s requirements
• Extensive experience in pension and payroll processing
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (specifically advanced Excel for data analysis and reporting)
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics clearly to a range of stakeholders
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Customer care excellence
• Proactive and creative approach to problem-solving and process improvement

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025

Shortlisting Date: Thursday 20 November 2025

Interview Date: Monday 1 December 2025

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Useful Information

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.