*INTERNAL MPFT APPLICATIONS ONLY* Payroll Team Leader

Job summary

*INTERNAL MPFT APPLICATIONS ONLY*

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Pay Services Team for a Payroll Team Leader to join our friendly, supportive and customer-focused team.

Working closely with the Payroll Manager and Senior Payroll Team Leaders, you will support the delivery of an accurate and timely payroll service while helping to develop and lead a team of Payroll Assistants and Payroll Advisors.

This hybrid role combines home and office-based working, with attendance required for training, meetings and service needs. You will coordinate day-to-day payroll activities, ensure payroll deadlines are met, support team training, provide technical guidance, resolve complex payroll queries and contribute to continuous service improvement.

The successful candidate will have significant payroll experience, ideally within the NHS, together with a sound knowledge of NHS Terms and Conditions, payroll legislation, NHS Pension Scheme regulations and ESR. You will be highly organised, able to manage competing priorities, and possess strong analytical, communication and customer service skills.

An NVQ Level 4 in Payroll Administration (or equivalent) is desirable; however, candidates with substantial payroll experience and equivalent knowledge and skills are encouraged to apply.

Main duties of the job

Using specialist payroll knowledge to support Senior Payroll Team Leaders in ensuring payroll processes are completed accurately, on time, and in compliance with NHS Terms and Conditions, statutory regulations, policies, procedures, SFIs, and audit requirements. Key responsibilities include overseeing payroll interfaces from Healthroster and e-Expenses, resolving feed issues, monitoring e-forms, supporting payroll production and pre-payroll processing, uploading HMRC XML files, and completing post-payroll checks.

Provides support to the Payroll Team by coordinating day to day work,managing escalated queries, distributing workloads during absences, organising checking reports, and ensuring adherence to GDPR requirements. Supports recruitment, training, development, and communication of legislative, policy, system, and procedural changes, while identifying and reporting training needs and maintaining procedure notes.

Acts as a key contact for third-party enquiries. Responsible for administering payroll-related schemes, including childcare vouchers, Cycle to Work deductions, and salary advances. Assists Senior Payroll Team Leaders in delivering payroll services, providing cover during absences, ensuring payroll accuracy, and supporting continuous service improvement across the team.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please note: If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of your application, we encourage you to review the Trust's guidance on the use of AI within the recruitment process. Further information can be found on Join Us :: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust or www.mpft.nhs.uk/joinus

Job responsibilities

For further information about the role, please see the attached recruitment pack which includes a detailed job description and person specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE English Language and Maths or equivalent qualification or experience.
• Payroll Qualification above NVQ level 4 or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Payroll Diploma

Experience

Essential

• NHS ESR payroll and pension experience
• Excellent working knowledge of ESR, and Microsoft office packages is required
• Significant experience of processing payrolls for several thousand staff

Desirable

• Experience of processing payrolls for several thousand staff with complex T&Cs

Skills

Essential

• Ability to analyse, investigate, and resolve operational payroll queries and discrepancies that may require interpretation and presentation of a range of options
• Ability to prioritise and coordinate a team to work accurately within deadlines
• Expert computing / keyboard skills. Effective use of Microsoft office products i.e. Work, Excel, Outlook - V- Look ups

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, Student Loans, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) and Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)
• Understanding of Expenses both NHS and HMRC