Reed
Payroll & Pensions Officer
Location: Birmingham City Centre (Hybrid Working Available)
Contract: Initial 3-Month Temporary Contract
Salary: Equivalent to £29,000 – £34,000 per annum
Start 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
- Process payroll accurately from start to finish
- Reconcile payroll data and ensure timely payments
- Administer pension schemes and complete associated reporting requirements
- Maintain compliance with UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, RTI, IR35, and employment tax regulations
- Manage pension-related documentation and member records
- Respond to complex payroll and pensions queries from employees and stakeholders
- Support internal and external audits
- Ensure accurate record keeping and reporting
- Contribute to service improvement initiatives and ongoing transformation projects
- Work closely with HR, Finance, and external providers to ensure an efficient payroll and pensions service
About You
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience working within payroll and pensions in a complex organisation
- Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, including:
- PAYE
- RTI
- IR35
- Employment Tax
- Experience administering pension schemes such as:
- USS
- NEST
- NHS Pension Scheme
- Experience using People XD or CoreHR (essential)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to manage workloads and meet strict deadlines
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Desirable
- Experience working within a higher education environment
- Previous involvement in payroll process improvement or transformation projects
- Experience supporting payroll audits and governance activities
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary equivalent of £29,000 – £34,000 per annum
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Opportunity to join a respected and forward-thinking university
- Exposure to a complex payroll and pensions environment
- Initial 3-month contract with a strong likelihood of extension
- Potential for a permanent opportunity
To apply for this job please visit www.reed.co.uk.
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