Payroll & HR Assistant

Our client within the Education sector is now looking for a Payroll & HR Assistant who will be responsible for processing their monthly payroll for approximately 400 staff.

Hybrid working - 4 days per week in the office.

The Payroll and HR Assistant plays a key role in the smooth running of the Trust’s payroll and HR operations. You will be responsible for managing the end-to-end payroll process for all staff, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. In addition, you will support the HR Manager with a range of administrative tasks across the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to leavers’ processes.

Reporting to the HR Manager. Liaising with all staff including leadership, LAB and Trustees within the Trust and, outside the Trust, professional service providers such as Access People and HfL, job applicants, recruitment agencies, contractors and visitors, TPS, LGPS.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Payroll

• Manage and process the monthly payroll for approximately 400 monthly staff across four schools.
• Ensure accurate recording of contractual changes, new starters, leavers, absences, and statutory payments (e.g., SSP, SMP, SPP).
• Administer pension contributions and liaise with Teachers’ Pensions and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Submit RTI reports to HMRC and ensure compliance with all statutory reporting requirements.
• Prepare payroll reports and data summaries for internal use and audits. Ensure payroll deadlines are met, and staff are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain up-to-date payroll records and ensure confidentiality and data integrity. Deal with all payroll and pension related queries.

HR Administration

• Support with recruitment administration including drafting job adverts, coordinating interviews, and processing pre- employment checks.
• Prepare offer letters and contracts for new staff.
• Support the onboarding and induction process for new employees.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR records, personnel files, and HRIS data. Process leaver documentation and exit procedures.
• Assist with the coordination of training and development activities. Respond to general HR enquiries and provide first-line support to staff.
• Accurately draft employment documents, such as pay award or change of terms letters, and action the resulting changes to terms and conditions or pay on the Trust’s HR system.
• Overseeing the HR email inbox, responding to queries in a professional and approachable manner.
• Monitor attendance levels, ensuring forms are submitted in a timely manner, identify when triggers have been met and supporting managers with suitable interventions. Escalating as appropriate.
• Supporting actions relating to training and CPD, including the annual safeguarding declarations

GENERAL:

• To respond to day-to-day queries for employees relating to their employment. Support the preparation of routine metrics and the annual staff workforce CENSUS.
• While every effort has been made to explain the post's main duties and responsibilities, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.
• Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
• Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and telephone callers.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Must have 2 years end to end payroll experience
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and HR/payroll systems
• Good administrative and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Discreet and professional approach to handling confidential information
• Good attention to detail and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality

STAFF BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• LGPS
• 25 days annual leave
• Free gym
• Professional, and fit for purpose working environments
• Free use of a range of sports and leisure facilities including a fully
• equipped gym Occupational health & counselling support
• Free flu jabs
• Subsidised social events