Payroll and Benefits Officer

We are looking for an experienced Payroll and Benefits Officer to work within the higher education sector.  This is a full time, permanent vacancy working within a busy and supportive team.  
 
Job Purpose of Payroll and Benefits Officer:
 
As a standalone Payroll Officer, the post holder will play a critical role in managing all aspects of payroll. The post holder’s responsibilities extend beyond processing salaries; they will be the primary contact for pension and payroll-related enquiries. Additionally, they will provide essential management information through reporting.
 
Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

Maintaining a good working knowledge of the pension schemes; to ensure that employee queries are resolved in a timely and accurate manner.
Ensure all payroll processing and pensions administration is completed by the required deadlines.
To analyse the Net Pay Variance Analysis & Exceptions reports monthly, justifying variances, identifying, and correcting errors and making any necessary adjustments to ensure accuracy of data. To review the monthly control reports for each payroll ready for checking & processing by Head of Finance.
To produce and submit timely and accurate data as required to HMRC and pensions providers monthly.
To lead on payroll audits as and when required, liaising with internal and external auditors on all aspects of payroll management.
To complete all necessary year end tasks, including P60s, P11Ds, reconciliations, data integrity checks, producing reports, making submissions in accordance with statutory requirements.
To gain and maintain a thorough knowledge of the operation and rules for LGPS, Teachers’ Pensions, USS and Aviva schemes including attending any relevant pensions meetings & training.
To be able to report implications of proposed changes to employees in a simple but accurate manner.
Experience Required for Payroll and Benefits Officer:

Experience in all pension administration and payroll related transactions.
Comfortable using MS Office functions including Outlook, Excel, Word.
Significant experience of working in payroll and pensions.
Experience of I-Trent payroll software would be a distinct advantage.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to organise and manipulate complex data.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate with staff at all levels of the organisation.
Ability to work successfully as part of a team, and on own initiative.
Ability to maintain accuracy under pressure and when working to tight deadlines.
Experience of processing and running a payroll operation.
Experience of producing and interpreting financial and statistical information.
Experience of working with administrative systems/processes
A working knowledge of government related pension schemes (TPS) and local Government Pension Scheme would be desirable.
Experience in an autonomous administrative role in preferably the Higher/Further Education or NHS sector would also be desirable.
 Benefits:

Salary between £29,605 to £36,024 per annum (depending on experience.)
25 days holiday, plus 3 additional discretionary days annual leave over the Christmas period.
Pension scheme options, including up to 23.68% & Employer Contribution, offering a 10%.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
27/7 Employee Scheme to support employees work life balance.
Agile Working Scheme to support employees work-life balance.
 
If you interested and possess the necessary skills and experience for the role of Payroll and Benefits Officer, we encourage you to apply today