Payroll Manager

Sherborne Schools Group (SSG) is a dynamic family of schools offering an exceptional education for girls and boys aged 3–19, across both day and boarding provision. Formed in 2024 through the merger of Sherborne Girls and Sherborne Boys, the Group now comprises Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Prep, Hanford Prep, Sherborne International, and a number of trading companies. Together, these schools provide a rich and cohesive educational journey within the beautiful town of Sherborne and surrounding Dorset countryside.

Sherborne Schools Group is seeking an organised and data-oriented Payroll Manager who will be responsible for all aspects of the payroll function across the Group. While their primary place of work will be the Sherborne Boys, the postholder will also be expected to contribute to and support initiatives across the wider Sherborne Schools Group. They will regularly be required to work at other schools or sites within the Group to meet the needs of the business. This role provides an exciting opportunity to play a central part in both the success of the individual school and the continued development of the Group as a whole.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead on preparing and executing the payrolls of the Group, including determining amounts owed / owing to employees such as overtime, holiday pay accruals, starters/leavers, seasonal/casual workers.

• Manage administration related to payroll including;

  • HMRC (e.g. RTI submissions, P60s, P11ds, annual rollover),

  • Government (e.g. gender pay gap, ONS reports, Apprenticeship Levy),

  • Pension scheme (e.g. TPS, legacy defined benefit scheme, various defined contribution schemes, auto-enrolment), and

  • Benchmarking and sector requests.

• Ensure appropriate and effective controls are operating, including the maintenance of payroll control accounts.

• Be the subject matter expert for payroll and provide technical advice/training to colleagues as required.

• Respond to queries from employees and other stakeholders on a timely basis.

• Prepare timely management information for the Group’s leadership, including monthly reporting and forecasting/budgeting cycles.

• Administer employee expenses in line with Group policy, where required.

• Be the Payroll Team leader, including day-to-day management of colleagues within the function.

• Some processing support is likely to be required to cover busy periods and team absences.

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week. 

Hours of work are likely to be 0830 – 1700 Monday to Friday with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day. Flexibility in hours will be required on occasion to meet the demands of the post.

For further information, please see the attached job description.

The closing date for applications is 9.30am Monday 26 January2 026 and interviews will be held on Monday 2 February 2026.

Sherborne Schools Group Recruitment and Selection Policy Statement

Sherborne Schools Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and a criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.