Payroll, Pensions and People Data Manager

Payroll, Pensions & People Data Manager

Part Time | Permanent
Grade 10 | 25 hours per week | 52 weeks per year

Salary: £24,741 to £27,334 actual salary per annum
(Full-time equivalent salary £36,617 to £40,455)

Working Pattern: 5 hours per day, Monday to Friday. Alternative working patterns may be considered for the right candidate.
Location: Based at either our Lubenham or Wigston school, with opportunities for hybrid working. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements.

Learn Academies Trust is seeking an experienced and highly organised Payroll, Pensions & People Data Manager to lead and continually improve the Trust's payroll assurance, pensions administration and workforce data arrangements.

This is a key Trust-wide role, responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity and compliance of payroll, pension and people data processes, whilst providing high-quality workforce intelligence to support strategic decision-making.

Working closely with the People & Culture Team, Finance colleagues and our managed payroll provider, you will play a vital role in ensuring our employees are paid accurately, pension arrangements are administered effectively and workforce information is reliable, timely and meaningful.

• Lead and coordinate the Trust's monthly payroll cycle in accordance with agreed deadlines.
• Act as the principal operational contact between the Trust and MHR in relation to payroll processing and associated services.
• Develop and maintain robust payroll assurance processes, including verification, reconciliation and quality checks.
• Support payroll year-end activities and review relevant year-end reports and information.
• Ensure payroll records are maintained securely and in accordance with statutory, audit, data protection and Trust requirements.
• Provide advice and support in relation to payroll queries from employees, managers and authorised colleagues.

• Coordinate and oversee payroll-related aspects of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Act as the Trust's principal point of contact for payroll-related pension enquiries.
• Ensure pension contributions, deductions and reporting arrangements are accurate, compliant and completed within required timescales.
• Support pension reconciliations, audits and compliance requirements.

• Produce accurate, timely workforce information and management reports for the Executive Team.
• Prepare payroll and workforce information for statutory returns, audits, benchmarking exercises, funding requirements and external reporting.
• Support Finance colleagues and budget holders by providing accurate staffing and payroll cost information.
• Produce salary calculations, staffing cost models and workforce planning information for recruitment, restructures and contractual changes.

• Act as the operational lead for payroll-related functionality within iTrent.
• Ensure payroll and workforce data held within iTrent is accurate, complete and maintained in accordance with agreed processes.
• Review and improve payroll, pension, data quality and reporting processes on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of personal, payroll, pension and financial information.

• Detailed working knowledge of UK payroll principles and monthly payroll processes.
• Knowledge of statutory payroll payments, deductions and compliance requirements.
• Understanding of pension contribution and deduction processes.
• Experience of working within payroll, pensions, HR systems or workforce data management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• The ability to interpret complex payroll and workforce information.
• The ability to communicate technical information clearly to non-specialists.
• Experience of producing accurate and meaningful reports and management information.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

• Experience of working within the education sector, local government or a multi-academy trust.
• Experience of using iTrent/MHR.
• Knowledge of Teachers' Pension Scheme and/or Local Government Pension Scheme administration.

• GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• A recognised payroll qualification, such as a Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals qualification, or demonstrable equivalent payroll expertise.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in payroll, pensions, people data, analytics or a related field.

At Learn Academies Trust, our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to creating a supportive, collaborative and ambitious environment where colleagues can thrive professionally and personally.

• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Access to wellbeing services and support.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Career progression within a growing and ambitious Trust.
• A welcoming and inclusive workplace culture.
• Generous annual holiday entitlement of at least 27 days plus bank holidays

Learn Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All appointments are subject to:

• An enhanced DBS check including a children's barred list check.
• Two satisfactory references (requested prior to interview for shortlisted candidates).
• Online and social media checks.
• Medical clearance.
• Right to work in the UK checks.
• Verification of qualifications and professional status where applicable.

Learn Academies Trust is committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and creating a genuinely inclusive organisation where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive.

Our vision is simple:

Everyone has a seat at the table. Everyone has a voice. Everyone belongs.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria will be offered the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy should organisational priorities change