Payroll and Pensions Lead

Sellick Partnership are currently recruiting for a Payroll and Pensions Lead join our reputable public sector organisation based in Plymouth. This is a contract for 3 months, with a possibility to be extended, and is offered on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days onsite.

The Payroll and Pensions Lead will lead the delivery of an efficient, accurate and compliant payroll and pensions service, ensuring employees receive a high-quality service and support.

The appointed candidate will oversee the management of the Payroll and Pensions Team, providing training, coaching and performance management

• Leading the Payroll and Pensions function, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, compliant and customer-focused service across the organisation and external clients.
• Acting as the senior subject matter expert for payroll and pension matters, providing specialist advice and resolving complex queries, calculations and casework.
• Managing, motivating and developing the Payroll and Pensions Team through recruitment, induction, performance management, regular one-to-one meetings and development planning.
• Ensuring payroll and pension services are delivered accurately and on time, meeting all Service Level Agreements, statutory requirements and key performance indicators.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with Shared Business Services (SBS), acting as the key contact for escalations, performance reviews and service improvement initiatives.
• Leading the interpretation and implementation of new payroll and pension legislation, ensuring policies, processes and systems remain compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Overseeing pension administration and act as the main liaison with the Pensions Agency, ensuring adherence to national standards and reporting requirements.
• Monitoring service performance, analyse management information and KPI data, investigate variances and implement corrective actions to drive continuous improvement.
• Reviewing, developing and streamlining payroll and pension processes to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience and support digital transformation initiatives.
• Leading payroll and pension projects, including system improvements, process changes and the implementation of new ways of working.
• Providing expert guidance to managers, employees, clients and external stakeholders on payroll, pensions and statutory obligations.
• Co-ordinating and delivering training to payroll and pension staff, ensuring knowledge, capability and compliance are maintained across the service.
• Representing the service at meetings, working groups, project boards and staff engagement activities as required.
• Ensuring effective communication and implementation of local, national and statutory changes affecting payroll and pension services.
• Maintaining business continuity within the service, ensuring resources are effectively managed and workloads are distributed appropriately across the team.
• Supporting the development, review and management of Service Level Agreements to ensure services continue to meet business objectives and client expectations.

• Relevant professional qualification in Payroll, Pensions or Finance (such as CIPP Diploma) or significant equivalent experience in payroll and pensions management.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation, pension regulations and statutory requirements, including defined benefit pension schemes
• Excellent knowledge of payroll and HR systems, with experience using ESR or comparable payroll and pensions platforms
• E…