Payroll Administrator

Role: Payroll Administrator - Temporary contract based on a project

Location: Head Office, Knobsbury Lane, Writhlington (Office based role)

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Type: Temporary (Project-Based — Payroll Transition) up to 12 months

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Thursday, Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm, all year around

Salary: Grade 5 and scale point range 11 - 17, £29,071 - £32,046

The Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership is seeking a dedicated, detail-oriented Payroll Administrator to join our central team on a temporary basis.

This key role comes at an exciting period of change as our Trust undertakes a project to transition to a new payroll provider. As part of our central operations, you will help maintain seamless end-to-end payroll processing during this migration, while supporting data cleansing, parallel running, and system rollout across our trust.

Whether you are an experienced payroll generalist or a project-oriented payroll specialist, this position offers an impactful opportunity.

Key responsibilities:

• Payroll Processing: Accurately capturing and processing all variable payroll data, including starters, leavers, rate changes, statutory deductions, sickness, absence, and unpaid leave.
• Data Management: Meticulously collating, checking, and processing overtime, casual claims, and expenses, and securely transmitting all verified data to our external payroll provider by monthly deadlines.
• Query Resolution: Acting as the first point of contact for all payroll, tax, and pension-related queries from staff and school leaders, providing clear, accurate, and timely resolutions.
• Reporting & Compliance: Assisting with the production of vital monthly reconciliation reports, supporting annual pension returns, and providing necessary payroll data to HR, finance, and school teams for budgeting. You will also help prepare new and variation contracts for staff.
• Liaison: Working closely with the external payroll provider, school contacts, and MAT finance/HR teams to ensure smooth and accurate payroll delivery.
• Good sound working knowledge of ICT and experience using management information systems and maintaining accurate electronic records.
• A positive outlook, strong work ethic, and the ability to maintain professional integrity and confidentiality at all times.

There are many advantages to working for us including 26 days’ annual leave (rising to 31 after 5 years service) plus bank holidays (pro rata), access to a government pension scheme, sick pay scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, free eye tests and employee assistance helpline. You also have access to an employee benefits platform which offers savings on everyday essentials to special offers on travel, dining, and entertainment.

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date if we receive sufficient applications for the role.