Payroll Technical Officer

Our client is looking for a Payroll Technical Officer who will play a key role in supporting the Payroll Manager and ensure the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and efficient payroll services. This role sits within the Technical Hub of the Payroll Service, which supports internal and external clients. The position involves a range of responsibilities, from system administration and reporting to process improvement and user testing, all aimed at ensuring the smooth operation of the payroll system.
Key Responsibilities:

Support Payroll Delivery:
Assist the Payroll Manager in delivering payroll services to ensure full compliance with legislative and statutory requirements
Ensure payroll services meet continuously improving service standards, effectively managing a monthly payroll of 15,000 employees
Data Management and Compliance:
Maintain data integrity within SAP and supporting systems, ensuring adherence to GDPR legislation and perform regular checks to ensure payroll data consistency and accuracy across all systems
Process Improvement and Support:
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives in payroll processes to enhance service delivery
Actively participate in process improvement discussions, providing feedback and recommendations to increase efficiency
User Acceptance Testing:
Conduct extensive user acceptance testing of payroll systems after software upgrades and legislative updates
Work with the systems development team to request and test configuration changes, translating contractual policies into technical specifications
Payroll Reporting:
Perform monthly and annual payroll-related reporting, reconciliation, and payment generation, including payslips, P45s, P60s, P11ds, BACS files, finance postings, RTI, auto-enrolment, and pension scheme service returns and ensure compliance with deadlines for internal and external parties
Team Support and Deputisation:
Provide support to the admin team and handle day-to-day queries when required.
Deputise for the Payroll Manager in their absence, ensuring continued operation of payroll services.
Government Gateway Reconciliation:
Regularly reconcile the Government Gateway Dashboard to mitigate risks that could result in financial penalties or reputational damage to the employer
Knowledge and Expertise Maintenance:
Keep up to date with the latest payroll statutory legislation, best practices, and system updates to provide expert support and advice to colleagues and customers
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the payroll function to provide guidance across various departments
Onboarding:
Manage the end-to-end onboarding of new payroll business into the council’s payroll system, ensuring a seamless transition and service delivery
Procedure and Guidance Documentation:
create and maintain clear, up-to-date departmental procedures, guidance notes and relevant websites to support ongoing payroll operations
Essential Qualifications and Skills:

5 QCF Level 2 qualifications, including Maths and English Language
Willingness to work towards or hold a CIPP qualification (or equivalent payroll qualification)
Demonstrable experience in payroll administration, ideally within a large and complex organisation
Experience with SAP or similar payroll systems
Strong knowledge of payroll statutory legislation and regulations
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (including use of Macros/VBA)
Excellent communication and report writing skills, with the ability to explain complex data in an understandable manner
Ability to prioritise and organise tasks effectively to meet deadlines
Attention to detail and a commitment to high standards of accuracy in all tasks
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to devise and implement practical solutions
A team player with a positive, cooperative approach to working with others
Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities
Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneouslyDesirable Qualifications and Skills:

Negotiation skills.
Recognised accountancy or payroll qualification (e.g., Accounting Technician, CIPP Certificate)
Up-to-date knowledge of national and local financial and legislative changes affecting payroll
Experience in delivering presentations and training to colleagues and clients
Previous involvement in projects and change initiatives within payroll servicesAdditional Information:

The role may involve occasional travel to different locations across the county as required
The Payroll Technical Officer will be expected to always maintain confidentiality and integrity of payroll data
Flexibility is required in terms of working hours during peak payroll processing periods 
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit their CV, along with a cover letter detailing their qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the role.

If you know someone suitable for this role, share the word and through our referral scheme receive up to £250! for full details on all Permanent, Temporary and Contract career opportunities we are actively seeking candidates for. Recruiting on the basis of Talent, we are committed to supporting and promoting diversity in the workplace and consider all applications. Any salary advertised is for search purposes only. If you have not heard from us within 7 days you will have not been successful on this occasion, however, we would welcome your application for alternative vacancies