Payroll Officer: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join our Payroll Services team and support the accurate, timely delivery of weekly and monthly payrolls across the Trust.

This role is suited to someone with hands-on payroll experience who can work confidently and independently, applying NHS terms and conditions and statutory payroll regulations with minimal guidance. The successful candidate will play an active role from day one, helping to maintain service continuity and support colleagues through effective, reliable payroll processing.

Due to current service pressures, this post is not suitable for candidates seeking a training or entry-level payroll role. Applicants must be able to demonstrate recent, practical experience working in a payroll environment.

We value work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, including up to 50% home working, alongside a collaborative and supportive office culture. Teamwork, professionalism and a strong customer focus are central to how we work.

Main duties of the job

In this role, you will:

Process payroll data accurately and efficiently within set deadlines.

Apply statutory rules for tax, National Insurance, sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption payments.

Validate documentation, check outputs and maintain accurate payroll records.

Respond to staff and manager enquiries, offering clear and supportive advice.

Process previous service enquiries, contract checks and absence updates.

Support the distribution of payslips and payroll documentation.

Assist in training new colleagues and contribute to continuous improvement.

Ensure all work complies with Trust processes and statutory guidelines.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• IPPM Foundation Level or NVQ level 3 in Payroll Administration or Equivalent Experience.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of processing payroll transactions within a payroll department, in line with payroll procedures and the resolution of pay-related queries
• Experience of using a computerised payroll system to process payroll transactions and maintain payroll records
• Experience of processing payroll input, validating payroll data and investigating payroll queries in accordance with payroll procedures
• Experience of applying payroll legislation and statutory requirements, including PAYE, National Insurance and statutory payments
• Experience of working to payroll deadlines whilst managing competing priorities
• Experience of communicating with employees and managers regarding payroll-related matters
• Experience of dealing with sensitive or challenging situations whilst maintaining professionalism and confidentiality
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and ensuring a high level of data accuracy

Desirable

• NHS payroll experience
• Experience of ESR Payroll System

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the handling of sensitive employee information
• Knowledge of payroll processes, controls and procedures within a payroll environment
• Understanding of customer service principles and the provision of payroll-related support to employees and managers
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, particularly Excel and Outlook
• Working knowledge of payroll legislation and statutory payments, including PAYE, National Insurance, SSP and statutory family leave provisions

Desirable

• Conversant with NHS Terms and Conditions

Skills

Essential

• Ability to interpret payroll calculations and explain pay, deductions and statutory payments to employees and managers
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain payroll information clearly to employees, managers and external organisations
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload to meet payroll deadlines
• Ability to use own initiative and work autonomously within established procedures
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and maintain a high level of accuracy
• Ability to adapt to change and support new ways of working
• Ability to work under pressure whilst managing a range of payroll-related tasks and queries

Additional Requirements

Essential

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to work
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive payroll information appropriately

Closing Date: 6 September 2026