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

• 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