Full job descriptionAn opportunity has arisen for an experienced Payroll & People Services Operations Lead to join a large, complex public sector organisation on a 12-month basis.
This is a senior leadership role focused on stabilising, modernising, and leading the payroll and people services function, ensuring accurate, compliant and efficient service delivery across the organisation.
Key responsibilities include:
*Leading the delivery of a timely and accurate payroll service via an outsourced provider
*Managing payroll contracts, SLAs, KPIs and service performance
*Acting as the organisation’s subject matter expert on payroll, pensions, and compliance
*Overseeing all employee lifecycle changes (pay, absence, pensions, contractual changes etc.)
*Driving service improvement, process optimisation, and governance across payroll and people services
*Ensuring strong data integrity, audit controls, and reporting capability
*Leading and developing a People Services team, embedding high performance and continuous improvement
*Acting as the key interface between HR, Finance, and payroll providers
You will bring:
*Extensive payroll expertise, ideally within the NHS or public sector
*Strong knowledge of NHS pensions, and statutory payroll regulations
*A track record of leading payroll functions, including outsourced service management
*Experience managing and developing teams through change and service transformation
*Strong understanding of ESR and payroll systems, alongside data, audit and controls