Head of Payroll

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Payroll to lead and oversee the delivery of a high‑quality payroll service within an education organisation. We are seeking a knowledgeable and detail‑focused payroll professional to ensure the accurate and timely payment of employees, provide expert guidance on payroll legislation and pensions. You will play a critical role in managing the outsourced payroll bureau service, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and delivering robust payroll data and insight to senior stakeholders.

Role Information:

• Contract type: Permanent
• Salary: £54,000 - £60,000 per annum
• Working hours: 36 hours per week (with flexibility during payroll periods)
• Location: Uxbridge
• Reporting to: Finance Director

Job responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the payroll function, including line management of payroll staff (subject to business needs).
• Manage and quality‑assure the outsourced payroll bureau service, ensuring staff are paid accurately and on time each month.
• Ensure compliance with all payroll legislation, taxation requirements, pension obligations (LGPS and TPS), and statutory reporting deadlines.
• Review and authorise payroll reports, payments, amendments and deductions in line with College pay policies.
• Oversee month‑end and year‑end payroll processes, including P60s, P11Ds, ONS Payroll Surveys and pension returns.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, systems and controls to enhance efficiency, accuracy and service delivery.
• Act as a key point of contact for payroll and pension queries, providing clear advice and guidance to staff and managers.
• Ensure strict adherence to data protection, confidentiality and GDPR requirements.

Ideal Candidate:

• Significant experience managing payroll within a large or complex organisation, ideally within the education or public sector.
• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and defined benefit pension schemes.
• High level of attention to detail with excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, external providers and staff at all levels.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting systems.
• A proactive, flexible and solutions‑focused approach, particularly during busy payroll periods.

This vacancy will be actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out.

Venn Group is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.