Job Description
Head of Payroll & Pensions
Salary: £75K- £79,629 / YearJob type: PermanentLocation: London
Ackerman Pierce are helping Lewisham Council seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Payroll & Pensions to lead our high-performing payroll and pension administration services.
* 3,000 Council employees
* 3,000 School employees
* 28,000 pension scheme members (active, deferred and pensioners)
You will be responsible for ensuring the effective administration of an annual Council payroll exceeding £170m, and overseeing the Lewisham Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) valued at approximately £1.85bn.
As a key member of the Finance Leadership Team, you will shape the strategic direction of payroll and pensions, ensuring services are efficient, compliant, customer-centred, and continuously improving.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
* Provide strategic direction for all payroll and pensions activity across Lewisham Council, schools, and associated employers.
* Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and customer focus.
* Manage the development and delivery of payroll and pensions SLAs for schools and external employers.
Operational Excellence
* Oversee the integrity and development of the Oracle Cloud payroll system, the Altair pensions system, and associated legacy and archive systems.
* Ensure robust controls are in place to prevent fraud, error, and data loss.
* Maintain compliance with statutory, financial and LGPS regulatory requirements.
* Ensure effective service delivery to managers, employees and external partners, minimising overpayments and ensuring timely recovery where required.
Expert Advisory Role
* Serve as the Council’s principal expert on payroll and pension legislation, including LGPS Regulations, Pensions Acts, Public Services Pensions Act, and the Data Protection Act.
* Interpret and implement complex legislative changes, advising senior leaders and updating policies and procedures accordingly.
* Lead on all payroll-related HMRC matters, including tax returns and responses to audits.
Pension Fund & Employer Management
* Act as strategic lead for engagement with external LGPS Fund Actuaries, including contract management and triennial valuations.
* Support and manage employer participation in the LGPS, including admitted and scheduled bodies.
* Oversee employer risk assessments, admission agreements, and the administration of employer responsibilities.
* Represent Lewisham Pensions at relevant boards, committees and external forums.
Governance, Compliance & Reporting
* Manage payroll and pension data for statutory reporting, year-end reconciliations and pension fund accounts.
* Lead on decisions and advice relating to early retirements, discretionary pension powers and compensation matters.
* Serve as the authorised signatory for payroll and pension payments.
* Provide leadership on internal dispute resolution and represent the Council at tribunals where required.
People Leadership
* Recruit, develop and support staff, ensuring the teams have the technical expertise required.
* Promote best practice and maintain strong professional networks.
* Ensure a culture of continuous improvement, inclusivity, and high performance.
About You
* Significant experience leading payroll and/or pension administration services at scale.
* Deep knowledge of LGPS legislation and local government pension administration.
* Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire teams and drive service improvement.
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legislation.
* Experience managing large systems (e.g., Oracle Cloud, Altair) and ensuring data integrity.
* Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills.
Why Lewisham Council?
Lewisham Council is committed to delivering high-quality, customer-focused services. You will join an organisation that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We offer:
* A supportive and inclusive working culture
* Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
* Opportunities for professional development
* The chance to make a significant impact on vital public services
How to Apply
If you are a strategic, forward-thinking payroll and pensions professional looking for a rewarding leadership role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply now or call George Willett.
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