Are you an experienced payroll professional looking to take the lead in a dynamic, rewarding environment Abingdon School is seeking a dedicated Payroll Manager to join our team and oversee the delivery of a high-quality, accurate payroll and benefits service.
Location: Abingdon School, OX14 1DE
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, 08.30 to 17.00, Monday-Friday
Salary: £48,500 to £55,000 per annum
Closing Date: 3 November 2025 9am
About Us:
The Foundation comprises two schools: Abingdon School and Abingdon Prep School, as well as Abingdon School Enterprises. Abingdon School is a leading independent day and boarding school with more than 1,000 pupils aged 11-18. Currently a boys’ school, it will become co-educational from September 2026.
Abingdon Prep School is a vibrant and warm day preparatory school with around 200 pupils aged 4-13 which has been co-educational since last year. Both Schools are situated in beautiful and extensive grounds, with the senior school in the heart of Abingdon on Thames, just south of Oxford, and the Prep School located a few miles away in nearby Frilford.
Payroll Manager - The Role:
This position is a key role within the HR and Finance teams reporting to the Director of HR with a dotted line to the Financial Controller. The role has the primary responsibility for preparing the annual salaries budget as well as day to day management of the school’s payroll, staff pay records, and pay and benefits matters. This will include liaising with the external payroll partners (e.g. payroll bureau and pension providers) during the month as well as managing pay and benefits related communications and administration with staff.
Payroll Manager - Key Responsibilities:
- Calculating and processing school staff's salaries and benefits accurately and on time and ensuring all pay related changes are accurately reflected in the monthly payroll
- Ensuring compliance with UK tax, pension, finance and employment laws applicable to school staff and ensuring all payroll related annual returns/declarations and required reconciliations are submitted by due dates
- Keeping detailed and accurate records of payroll transactions for auditing purposes and future reference
- Overseeing staff benefits such as pensions, maternity/paternity pay, private healthcare, death in service, income protection, contractual sick pay, salary exchange schemes and other staff benefits
- Addressing pay and pension related queries from staff and resolving any issues related to payroll discrepancies
- Reviewing recruitment requisitions and new appointment requests in line with staff budgets and proposing appropriate salaries based on internal and external benchmarks
Payroll Manager - You:
- A formal payroll qualification
- A relevant degree or equivalent level qualification, preferably in finance or business management
- 5-10 years payroll experience within large organisations where multiple pay scales and conditions of employment exist including managing defined contribution and defined benefit pension schemes
- Familiarity with payroll software and systems used in schools to manage payroll processes efficiently
- A solid understanding of UK employment law, taxation and regulatory requirements related to payroll
- Ability to manage budgets and financial records related to payroll expenses
Payroll Manager – Benefits:
- You'll get 25 days off paid time off each year plus bank holidays
- Up to 14.1% employer pension contribution
- Abingdon Foundation Death in Service Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Private healthcare insurance
- We may be able to offer flexible working from home
- Free use of leisure facilities with discounted exercise classes
- Free lunches during term time
- Cycle to work scheme
- Christmas closure days
- Discounted school fees (eligibility criteria apply)
- There are regular staff social events and opportunities to join other staff
- We offer free on-site parking and bike storage for all staff
- We offer a range of online and in-person courses to staff for free including first aid, mental health first aid and health and safety courses
We aim to ensure that our staffing at all levels and in all roles is diverse and we welcome applications from all backgrounds and all sections of the community.
Abingdon is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.
Closing date: 3 November 2025 9am
Interview date: Tuesday 11 November 2025
To submit your application for this Payroll Manager opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now