Payroll & Pensions Officer

Payroll & Pensions Officer

Location: Birmingham City Centre (Hybrid Working Available)Contract: Initial 3-Month Temporary ContractSalary: Equivalent to £29,000 – £34,000 per annumStart Date: Immediate / Short Notice Preferred

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Payroll & Pensions Officer to join a well-established higher education organisation in Birmingham. This is an urgent requirement and an excellent opportunity to join a large, complex organisation supporting approximately 2,500 employees.

The position is initially offered on a 3-month contract, with a strong possibility of extension and potential permanent opportunities for the right candidate.

The Role

As Payroll & Pensions Officer, you will play a key role in delivering an accurate, compliant, and customer-focused payroll and pensions service. Working within a busy HR and payroll function, you will ensure employees are paid correctly and on time while maintaining compliance with payroll legislation and pension scheme requirements.

This is a varied and fast-paced role that requires strong technical knowledge, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex payroll and pension queries.

Key Responsibilities

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• Process payroll accurately from start to finish
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• Reconcile payroll data and ensure timely payments
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• Administer pension schemes and complete associated reporting requirements
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• Maintain compliance with UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, RTI, IR35, and employment tax regulations
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• Manage pension-related documentation and member records
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• Respond to complex payroll and pensions queries from employees and stakeholders
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• Support internal and external audits
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• Ensure accurate record keeping and reporting
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• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and ongoing transformation projects
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• Work closely with HR, Finance, and external providers to ensure an efficient payroll and pensions service
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About You

Essential Requirements

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• Proven experience working within payroll and pensions in a complex organisation
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• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, including:\n
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  • PAYE
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  • RTI
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  • IR35
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  • Employment Tax
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• Experience administering pension schemes such as:\n
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  • USS
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  • NEST
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  • NHS Pension Scheme
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• Experience using People XD or CoreHR (essential)
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• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
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• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
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• Ability to manage workloads and meet strict deadlines
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• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
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Desirable

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• Experience working within a higher education environment
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• Previous involvement in payroll process improvement or transformation projects
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• Experience supporting payroll audits and governance activities
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What's on Offer?

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• Competitive salary equivalent of £29,000 - £34,000 per annum
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• Hybrid working arrangements
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• Opportunity to join a respected and forward-thinking university
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• Exposure to a complex payroll and pensions environment
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• Initial 3-month contract with a strong likelihood of extension
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• Potential for a permanent opportunity
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