Payroll Lead

Job Introduction

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Payroll Lead to join our HR team and take responsibility for the operational management and delivery of payroll and pension services across the College.

This is an exciting opportunity for a payroll professional with strong technical expertise, excellent attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional service to our staff. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll, managing pension administration, maintaining statutory compliance, and supporting strategic decision-making through payroll reporting and analysis.

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive Director of Human Resources, you will lead all aspects of payroll and pension administration, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time each month while maintaining compliance with HMRC regulations, Teachers' Pensions, Greater Manchester Pension Fund requirements, and other statutory obligations.

You will work closely with colleagues across Human Resources and Finance to ensure payroll data is processed efficiently and accurately, while continuously reviewing and improving systems and processes.

**Please note: This is a full time, office based role**

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of an accurate and timely monthly payroll service for all College employees.
• Manage payroll systems administration and relationships with payroll software providers.
• Ensure the accurate integration and processing of payroll data between HR, payroll and finance systems.
• Liaise with HR regarding starters, leavers, contractual changes, overtime, expenses, absences and deductions.
• Complete monthly payroll reconciliations in partnership with the Finance team.
• Develop and implement robust payroll and pension verification processes.
• Ensure all statutory returns and payments to HMRC and other regulatory bodies are completed accurately and within required deadlines.
• Manage all aspects of Teachers' Pensions and Greater Manchester Pension Fund administration, including opt-ins, opt-outs, retirements and member enquiries.
• Ensure compliance with attachment of earnings orders and other statutory deductions.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll and pension-related enquiries.
• Produce regular payroll reports, annual returns and management information.
• Undertake pay modelling and workforce cost analysis to support management decision-making.
• Lead payroll and pension audits and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and College policies.
• Complete external returns, including submissions to the Association of Colleges, Department for Education, Office for National Statistics and other relevant organisations.
• Maintain secure handling of payroll and pension information in accordance with GDPR requirements.

About You

Essential

• Experience administering both Teachers and Local Government pension schemes.
• proficiency in using payroll systems, such as iTrent and Microsoft Excel
• Significant experience of managing end-to-end payroll processes.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and statutory reporting.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience producing payroll reports and reconciliations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

About Us

Bury College is a Further Education College offering a wide range of courses to both full time and part time students each year.

Dedicated to providing the communities we serve with a broad choice of learning options, Bury College offers a range of A Level courses, vocational programmes, and apprenticeships. In addition to this, we have higher level courses available at Bury College University Centre, as well as courses for adults.

Why choose Bury College to be your next employer.

We are a friendly, forward-looking college where all our staff are valued. We pride ourselves in the fact that all our staff are supported & encouraged to perform at their best. We invest significantly in staff development & have CPD Events throughout the year.

Bury College is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity, celebrating diversity, safeguarding its learners and expects all staff to share these commitments.

The benefits of working for us?

• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holiday and Christmas closure period
• Occupational sick pay
• Teachers or Local Authority Pension Fund
• Flexible working
• Family Friendly Policy
• Special Leave of Absence
• Paid leave for religious festivals
• Sabbaticals
• Comprehensive induction and on-going training
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health Service
• Onsite gym
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Onsite nursery
• Free onsite parking
• Option for first aid training and an annual allowance of £296 for first aid duties

Please note that new guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 requires us to carry out an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates. This to enable us to identify any incidents or issues which have happened and are publicly available online which we might want to explore at interview. Once shortlisting has taken place, this search will be carried out for all candidates who will attend an interview.

Bury College reserve the right to interview upon application.