Closing Date: Sunday 11th September 2022

As an Anywhere (hybrid) Worker, your role will have a ECC base location, as shown in the advert and while you may be able to work from home / remotely some of the time, there is an expectation that as and when required by the organisation you need to attend the base location, typically 1 - 2 times per week and any travel time or travel cost incurred when attending the based location will not be met by the organisation.

The Opportunity

The Payroll service sits within the People & Transformation function, to influence both the customer and employee experience in a key area of employee engagement. Providing a comprehensive service, investing in new technology to better support our users and enable an empowered self-service and support function.

The Payroll Specialist will contribute to the on-going development and delivery of the Payroll service operating model. Providing specialist advice and guidance in respect of all statutory requirements, across the Council and externally.

The role operates under tight financial constraints, ensuring excellence of service across the department by contributing to change management and ensuring the function is configured for continuous improvement.

Accountabilities

• Supports the delivery of the Payroll service, providing advice and liaising with HMRC on tax matters, pension bodies and major statutory changes, taking account of compliance and risk.
• Maintains an up to date knowledge of future statutory and legislative changes that will impact the service delivery to incorporate into local policies and procedures.
• Responsible for promoting innovative approaches and delivering change in Payroll processes, to meet the business and organisational needs of customers.
• Line management responsibilities and educating and support staff at all levels to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the payroll control environment, enabling accurate payroll data and compliance with statutory obligations including Teachers Pension scheme and Local Government Pensions.
• Responsible for delivering statutory changes, including requirements for system changes and delivery of developments.
• Responsible for overseeing and delivery of projects and some annual or regular events such as monthly pension reports. In addition act as an escalation point for complex queries or complaints.
• Responsible for meeting customer service standards to enable consistent adherence to both designed outcomes and agreed service levels, ensuring compliance with all external and internal regulation.
• Deliver specialist technical Payroll advice and guidance across the Council to ensure compliance with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Contribute to internal and external audits to monitor compliance with all ECC Payroll policies to enable the effective delivery of ECC's goals and first-class service.
• Contribute to system and business requirement documents to enable efficient and effective solutions to be built as part of the Payroll function.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Dimensions

People management responsibility (including direct reports):

Line management responsibility for 1-3 direct reports.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF level 3 (A level) or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and good knowledge in relevant professional area, with membership or working towards CIPP or demonstrable equivalent ability.
• Significant experience in HMRC compliance and good working knowledge of Teachers Pension Scheme and Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Good working knowledge of the complex, interdependent and wide-ranging business requirements of delivering a quality, best in class, Payroll Service.
• Knowledge and understanding of complex pay and condition queries, including pensions, HMRC and other statutory requirements.
• Proven experience in supporting innovative approaches to improving service delivery and value for money.
• Ability to challenge, confidently advising across an organisation, based on professional knowledge.
• Good experience of managing payroll systems including requirements gathering, development and testing.