Payroll & Pensions Officer

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Payroll & Pensions Officer to join a large higher‑education institution in Birmingham. The role is initially offered on a three‑month contract with the possibility of extension or permanent placement. You will be responsible for delivering an accurate, compliant and customer‑focused payroll and pensions service for around 2,500 employees.

Key responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately from start to finish and reconcile payroll data.
• Administer pension schemes (USS, NEST, NHS) and complete related reporting.
• Maintain compliance with UK payroll legislation including PAYE, RTI, IR35 and employment tax regulations.
• Manage pension documentation and member records.
• Respond to complex payroll and pension queries from employees and stakeholders.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure accurate record‑keeping.
• Contribute to service‑improvement initiatives and transformation projects.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and external providers to ensure efficient service delivery.

Required profile

• Proven experience in payroll and pensions within a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation (PAYE, RTI, IR35, employment tax).
• Experience administering pension schemes such as USS, NEST or NHS.
• Ability to manage workloads, meet strict deadlines and handle detailed queries.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.

Required skills

• People XD
• CoreHR

What we offer

• Hybrid working (Birmingham city centre office and remote).
• Salary equivalent to £29,000‑£34,000 per annum.
• Potential for contract extension and permanent role.