Payroll & Pensions Officer

Job introduction

We are seeking a highly organised and detail‑driven Payroll & Pensions Officer to join our Schools Payroll team. This is a pivotal role, ensuring that all employees are paid accurately and on time, while overseeing the smooth administration of our pension schemes. You will be the trusted point of contact for payroll and pensions queries for a number of schools, helping colleagues feel supported and confident in their financial wellbeing.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For an informal discussion, please contact Natasha Rault - Payroll Team Leader at Natasha.Rault@brighton-hove.gov.uk or Elise Cook - Payroll Team Leader at Elise.Cook@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

About the role

Key Responsibilities

• Administer monthly payroll, ensuring accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Manage pension contributions, enrolments, and scheme administration.
• Maintain up‑to‑date employee records and respond promptly to payroll and pension queries.
• Liaise with HR, Finance, and external providers to resolve issues and improve processes.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, auto‑enrolment, and other legislative requirements.
• Support audits, reporting, and year‑end processes.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• Proven experience in payroll and pensions administration.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and auto‑enrolment rules.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience using payroll and HR systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What We Offer

• a healthy work life balance with flexible working hours and hybrid working from home and the office
• an attractive pension scheme
• generous annual leave and flexi-days if you accrue additional hours
• 24/7 access to free advice and support via the employee assistance programme
• lifestyle benefits such as season ticket loans, travel and leisure discounts
• tax-free benefits including the cycle to work scheme
• access to four employee networks that aim to champion inclusion, challenge inequalities, raise awareness, and act as a safe space for the staff that they support.

Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to upload your CV and answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (CV guidance) and Shortlisting questions guidance as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

We are a workplace that supports flexibility and employee wellbeing in the way we work whilst providing the best service for our customers. Team and service working arrangements are designed to support both employee work life balance and team collaboration. These would be part of your individual working arrangements alongside any personal preference agreed with your manager in advance of joining. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.

For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us

Company information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).