Overview
The Senior Payroll Officer will work in a busy section within Payroll, supporting the Payroll Section Manager in providing a comprehensive payroll service to Managers, Human Resources, Finance and all employees of the Trust and other client organisations, including NHS Trusts, Hospices and Universities (Deanery). The role involves ensuring the processing of salaries, wages, personal expenses, and pensions administration within the section. A key characteristic of the role is responsibility for supporting a specific management area, while also providing flexible support for other areas and payroll tasks across the team. The role involves providing payroll information and advice in accordance with NHS and Local Conditions of Service and Statutory Regulations, through own work and coordination with the Payroll Team. The Senior Payroll Officer will ensure payrolls are processed in line with policies and procedures and will investigate complex enquiries, providing assistance and advice. The post holder will monitor and supervise Payroll Officers and Payroll Assistants on a day-to-day basis.
Main duties
* Assist the Payroll Section Manager in ensuring the production of high-quality payroll output to meet organisational requirements and agreed timescales.
* Support the Payroll Section Manager in running the team and take responsibility for others within the team.
* Prioritise, plan, and organise own work and the work of trainees to meet deadlines for payroll completion, pensions administration and statutory requirements.
* Organise and deliver core payroll training to new team members and assist in retraining staff when system or regulatory changes are introduced.
* Demonstrate detailed knowledge of NHS Pensions scheme, regulations, and administrative procedures.
* Communicate effectively with colleagues, managers, and stakeholders regarding payroll matters, including complex queries and sensitive situations.
Job responsibilities (detailed)
* Make accurate payments of salaries and wages in accordance with Local and National conditions.
* Maintain accurate records of pay, income tax, national insurance, and all statutory and occupational payments (Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, Paternity Pay, Adoption Pay, etc.).
* Maintain employee personal records, including permanent grade/hours changes and sickness/absence records.
* Coordinate tasks within the payroll team, including checking manual calculations of gross to net pay.
* Deal with verbal, electronic, and written payroll enquiries and provide advice to employees, departmental heads, and external agencies.
* Check permanent changes to employee records and entries affecting pension operations.
* Deliver core payroll training and assist in re-training when changes to systems/regulations occur.
* Undertake calculations of complex payments (e.g., removal expenses) and interpret relevant policy sections.
* Interpret and implement pay awards in conjunction with the Payroll Section Manager.
* Act as authorised signatory for NHS Pensions Scheme communications and for Removal Expenses.
* Calculate overpayments and report to ensure recovery of funds.
* Input information into Electronic Staff Record for budgetary information and statutory returns.
* Complete annual government and statistical returns related to wages, client numbers, and agreements.
* Audit trainees and payroll output monthly/weekly to ensure accuracy and prevent fraud.
* Prioritise and organise own work and that of trainees to meet deadlines for payroll completion, pensions administration and statutory requirements.
* Answer complex and simple queries from Managers, HR Officers, and employees regarding terms, conditions, and statutory payments, via various channels.
* Provide advisory capacity in the absence of the Section Manager and occasionally participate as an appointment panel member.
* Maintain confidentiality in accordance with data protection regulations.
* Any other duties as appropriate.
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
* Highly detailed and specialist knowledge of NHS Terms and Conditions of Service
* Ability to absorb and understand changing conditions of service and statutory requirements (annual updates)
* Ability to give complex, detailed advice to Managers and HR outside of Payroll on pensions and payroll matters
* Ability to organise and plan own work and that of trainees to meet deadlines
Experience
Essential
* Experience in a payroll/pensions environment with the ability to handle all payroll aspects
* Highly detailed knowledge of Electronic Staff Record (ESR)
* Detailed knowledge of complex statutory requirements for PAYE and related payments
* Experience in creating and analysing complex ESR reports (time sheets, batch summaries, sickness reports, etc.)
Qualifications
Essential
* IPPM Degree in Pensions/Payroll Management or significant equivalent experience
* NVQ Level 3 Bereavement Awareness or equivalent experience
Desirable
* European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
* Managerial/HR short courses or IT qualifications
* Short courses in Microsoft Office applications
* Staff recruitment
Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
St. James\'s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF
Employer\'s website
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