Head of Payroll & Pensions

Our client is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to head their Payroll and Pensions service. This senior role will be responsible for delivering high-quality, compliant payroll and pension administration for approximately 6,000 employees and 28,000 pension scheme members, including active, deferred, and retired members. The organisation’s annual payroll exceeds £170m, and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) fund is valued at around £1.85bn.

As a key member of the Finance Leadership Team, you will set the strategic direction for the service, lead a skilled and customer-focused team, and ensure systems, processes, and policies are compliant, efficient, and innovative. You will also act as the organisation’s expert on payroll and pensions legislation, advising senior management and stakeholders, and managing relationships with external providers, schools, and other partner organisations.

Key Responsibilities

*

Provide strategic leadership for the payroll and pensions services, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with statutory and LGPS regulations.

*

Oversee payroll and pension systems, including Oracle Cloud and Altair, ensuring data integrity and robust controls.

*

Advise senior management on complex legislation, pension administration, and tax compliance.

*

Manage relationships with external providers, pension fund actuaries, and admitted/scheduled bodies.

*

Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing, customer-focused team.

*

Ensure accurate reporting, financial control, and adherence to statutory deadlines, including triennial valuations.

Candidate Profile

*

Extensive senior experience in payroll and/or pensions administration, ideally within the public sector.

*

Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and team development skills.

*

In-depth knowledge of LGPS legislation, payroll regulations, and pensions administration.

*

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

*

A proactive approach, with a focus on innovation, service improvement, and inclusive leadership.

Why Apply
This is a unique opportunity to lead a critical function impacting thousands of employees and pensioners, shaping the strategic direction of payroll and pensions within a major public sector organisation