Kick‑start your Career with Nissan!
Start your career. Gain recognised qualifications. Build a future with us.
Looking for a role where you can learn fast, grow fast, and actually enjoy coming to work? If you’re motivated, curious, and ready to build real-world skills, we’d love to hear from you.
Are you organised, good with numbers, and keen to learn how big businesses really work? Nissan Sunderland is offering an exciting opportunity to join our Payroll Team as a Foundation Degree Payroll Apprentice — a fully structured 5‑year programme designed to set you up for a long‑term professional career.
This is more than an apprenticeship. It’s a clear development pathway that combines real-life experience, expert coaching, and nationally recognised qualifications — all while you earn a salary.
What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll get hands-on experience from day one, including:
1. Learning how things really work behind the scenes
2. Working with modern tools, software and technology
3. Supporting real projects that make a real impact on employees
4. Developing skills, you can use for the rest of your career
From day one, you’ll be part of a supportive payroll team handling real responsibilities in a large, complex organisation. Over time, you’ll build full end‑to‑end payroll experience, including:
5. Learning how payroll works from start to finish
6. Processing new starters and leavers
7. Running and reconciling payroll reports
8. Supporting payroll systems, exports, imports and integrations
9. Answering payroll, tax and coding queries
10. Working with HMRC and supporting tax-related activities
11. Gaining exposure to benefits, pensions and allowance schemes
12. Understanding how payroll supports thousands of employees
You’ll grow in confidence and capability each year as your responsibility increases.
Qualifications You’ll Achieve
During the programme, you’ll work towards recognised payroll qualifications:
13. Level 3 Payroll Administrator
14. Level 5 Payroll Assistant Manager (Foundation Degree equivalent) *
There’s also scope to progress further into specialised payroll or finance pathways after Level 5.
*Qualifications may be subject to change
What We’re Looking For
You don’t need years of experience — we’re looking for potential, curiosity and commitment.
15. A positive, can‑do mindset and customer focus
16. Willingness to learn and ask questions
17. Good communication and teamwork skills
18. Basic IT confidence (we’ll help you build the rest)
19. An interest and aptitude for numbers
20. Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
21. An interest in payroll, finance, tax or business
Entry Requirements
To join the programme, you’ll need:
22. GCSE Maths Grade 7 (or equivalent)
23. GCSE English Language or Literature Grade 6 or above (or equivalent)
24. Two additional subjects at Grade 6 or above (or equivalent)
What You’ll Get in Return
25. Full training and ongoing support
26. A welcoming team who want you to succeed
27. Clear progression and development opportunities
28. Valuable skills and experience for your CV
29. Competitive pay and benefits
Salary & Progression
30. Starting salary: £17,400.68
31. Salary reviewed every 6 months, with progression linked to performance and development
Why Join Nissan?
32. Earn while you learn
33. Gain respected qualifications
34. Develop skills employers’ value
35. Be supported by an experienced team
36. Build a long-term career in a global organisation
37. You’ll grow personally and professionally
38. You’ll be part of something that matters
Ready to Apply?
If you’re excited by the idea of learning, growing, and starting your career the right way, apply now.
Sunderland United Kingdom