Payroll Team Leader

  Payroll Team Leader

️ Lambeth Borough Council

Brixton, London
£54-58k per annum depending on experience
⏰ 35 hours per week
Hybrid working
27 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
Valuable Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions

London Borough of Lambeth is seeking an experienced Payroll Team Leader to join its Payroll & Pensions Service. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a dedicated payroll team, delivering a high-quality service to a large and diverse workforce across corporate services and schools.

Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead, supervise and develop a team of Payroll Officers and Administrators.

✅ Oversee the end-to-end payroll operation, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing using Oracle payroll system

✅ Provide expert advice on complex payroll matters, including PAYE, National Insurance, Statutory Payments, Real Time Information (RTI), Student Loans and pension regulations.

✅ Manage payroll activity for a diverse workforce, including schools and corporate employees.

✅ Ensure compliance with LGPS, Teachers' Pensions, NHS Pension Scheme, Auto Enrolment and all relevant legislation.

✅ Liaise with HMRC, auditors, actuaries and external stakeholders on payroll-related matters.

✅ Produce management information, KPI reports and payroll performance data for senior management.

✅ Implement pay awards, validate retrospective payments and oversee payroll reconciliations.

✅ Carry out regular quality assurance checks and develop controls to minimise payroll errors and financial risk.

✅ Support service improvement projects, process automation and payroll digitisation initiatives.

✅ Deputise for the Payroll Manager where required.

✅ Build strong relationships with internal departments, schools and external clients to ensure exceptional service delivery.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• Extensive payroll experience within a large and complex organisation, preferably from a local authority
• Strong understanding of PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and pension regulations.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing payroll teams.
• Knowledge of payroll legislation and best practice.
• Experience managing payroll operations to strict deadlines.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to identify service improvements and implement effective payroll processes.
• Experience working with payroll systems and payroll reporting tools.
• Oracle payroll system experience 

Desirable

• Local Government payroll experience.
• Knowledge of Local Government pay and conditions.
• Experience supporting schools payrolls.
• Understanding of LGPS, Teachers' Pensions and NHS Pension Schemes.
• Payroll qualification (CIPP) or equivalent professional experience.

Why Join Lambeth?

Work for one of London's most ambitious boroughs

Be part of a forward-thinking Payroll & Pensions team

Opportunity to influence payroll transformation and digital strategy

Lead a high-performing team delivering an essential public service

Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements

Valuable Local Government pension scheme and employee benefits