Job Title: Payroll Operations & Interface Lead (People Services)
Location: Bicester 1-2 days per week onsite with free parkingSalary: £57,000 – £64,750 (Band 8A)Contract: 12 month Fixed-Term Contract (with potential to be permanent)
We’re partnering with a large,plex public sector organisation undergoing transformation within its People Services function. As part of a recent restructure, a newly created opportunity has arisen for a Payroll Operations & Interface Lead to act as the critical link between HR, Finance and an outsourced payroll provider.This is not a traditional Payroll Manager role. Instead, you’ll sit at the centre of the operation, driving connectivity, improvingernance and shifting the function from a reactive to a more proactive, insight-led model.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Act as the primary interface between the organisation and outsourced payroll provider (SBS)
2. Manage, escalate and drive resolution ofplex payroll queries
3. Improve visibility of payroll issues, identifying trends, root causes and systemic challenges
4. Lead the operational management of the outsourced payroll provider, ensuring delivery against agreed KPIs and SLAs
5. Lead and develop the People Services team, including performance management, development and workforce planning
6. Ensure all processes, systems and procedures are clearly documented and consistently applied
7. Strengthen SLA adherence and stakeholder accountability across HR, Finance and operational teams
8. Introduce greater structure, consistency andernance across payroll-related processes
9. Drive improvements across ticketing, workflows, automation and user experience
10. Provide expert advice on payroll, tax, NI and statutorypliance
11. Support organisational change, including redundancy, pay protection and restructuring calculations
12. Identify whether issues sit with the external provider or internal processes ( manager behaviours, late changes, leavers)
13. Support the development of a more joined-up approach across pay, reward, workforce and people processes
14. Horizon scan for uing regulatory changes ( National Minimum Wage and wider employment legislation) and assess impact
15. Contribute to longer-term strategic direction of payroll and people services
About the Role:
16. Newly created position within a recently restructured People Services team
17. Current environment is process-heavy and fragmented, with an opportunity to drive meaningful change
18. Strong potential for the role to evolve into a more strategic leadership position if made permanent
About You:
19. Strong payroll expertise, ideally gained within a payroll services or outsourced environment
20. Experience managingplex pay scenarios ( backpay, banding/average pay, over/underpayments, pay-related grievances)
21. Confident working in regulated,plex organisations — public sector or NHS experience highly advantageous
22. Proven ability to improve processes,ernance and ways of working
23. Experience with payroll systems/data ( ESR, workforce reporting) desirable
24. Knowledge of TUPE and wider employment/pay regulations beneficial
This is a highly visible role working across multiple stakeholder groups, including HR, Finance, Workforce teams and operational leaders. It would suit someone who enjoys bringing structure toplexity, driving improvements and enhancing the overall employee experience through better payroll and people processes. #4799444 - Charlotte Chandler