Payroll Manager

We are looking for an experienced, qualified payroll professional to join the Harris Federation central team in the brand new position of Payroll Manager.

About Us

We are a pioneering education charity, and one of the leading multi-academy trusts in the country. We have a track record of taking on some of the most challenging schools in London, turning them into places where every young person can access a high-quality education and have opportunities to succeed.

Educating 1 in 41 young people in London, we now have 52 primary and secondary academies transforming the life chances and opportunities of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London.

Our central team comprises a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies. Across a multitude of key departments, we maintain expertise all integral to supporting central and academies in areas such as Finance, HR, Data, Estates Management, Talent and many more.

Main Areas of Responsibility

The Payroll and Pensions team is an integral part of the Finance Department and is responsible for the payment of around 4,500 monthly paid employees and growing. The payroll is under one PAYE reference number, and is grouped into three payrolls.

The Payroll Manager will be responsible for:

• ensuring that each stage of the payroll process complies with due processes and procedures
• paying all staff correctly, on a monthly basis
• ensuring that correct payments are made, and appropriate information is provided, to the Federation's pension schemes, HMRC and other statutory bodies
• providing advice and expertise in relation to the impact of external changes on occupational pension schemes
• managing the provision of the Payroll and Pensions service offered within the Harris Federation

For a full list of responsibilities, please download the job pack via the link.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Full CIPP qualification and a current active membership of the CIPP.
• Experience of Oracle Fusion payroll software
• A proven track record of managing a highly effective Payroll and/or Pension office to include a working knowledge of statutory requirements affecting PAYE, Defined Benefits Pension schemes and benefit structure
• Sound knowledge of ERP system software
• A strong understanding of manual and computerised payroll systems and principles
• Excellent standard of written and oral communication skills
• Ability to interpret and to reconcile complex financial data from a variety of sources using tools such as Microsoft Excel
• Strategic and hands-on approach
• Commitment to providing customer-focused service
• Self-motivated, dynamic individual with a flexible approach to work
• Experience of working to defined service levels, targets and key performance indicators

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits.

We offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with 2 days from home and 3 days either with the team at our office in East Croydon or visiting one of our academies.

Learn more about our benefitson our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.