Payroll & Pensions Officer

Job Advert

Job Title: Payroll & Pensions Officer

Department: Human Resources

Reporting to: Payroll Manager

Salary: £28,485.49 – £30,390.28 (Business Support Scale 6, Pt 23–25)

Annual Leave: 30 days per annum plus bank holidays

Contractual hours: 37 hours per week

Basis: Full Time, Permanent

Pension: NEST

Location: Middlesbrough College Main Campus, TS2 1AD

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Payroll & Pensions Officer to join our team. Supporting the Payroll Manager, you will play a key role in delivering accurate and timely payroll services for approximately 1,250 staff, across multiple payrolls, while ensuring full compliance with legislative requirements and internal policies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the processing of monthly payrolls, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Maintain and update payroll records, including starters, leavers, variations, and statutory payments
• Reconcile payroll data and identify discrepancies
• Administer pension schemes including Teachers’ Pension, Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), and NEST
• Manage pension processes such as enrolment, contributions, and year-end reporting
• Liaise with HR, Finance, and managers to resolve payroll queries
• Process employee benefits (e.g. cycle to work, childcare vouchers, union fees)
• Ensure compliance with PAYE, NIC, auto-enrolment, and pension regulations
• Maintain strict confidentiality in line with GDPR
• Identify and contribute to continuous improvements in payroll and pension processes

About You Essential:

• CIPP Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience
• Experience processing complex payrolls
• Knowledge of payroll and pension legislation
• Strong IT skills, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to perform manual payroll calculations and identify errors

Desirable:

• Experience with LGPS and Teachers’ Pension schemes
• Knowledge of Access People XD Payroll & HR software
• Understanding of the Further Education sector

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a supportive and values-driven organisation committed to excellence in education and training. We are proud of our core values:

• Aim High
• Work Hard
• Take Responsibility
• Do What’s Right
• Respect Others
• Challenge Yourself
• Take Pride

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults.

Our Benefits

The College offers an excellent benefits package, including:

• Subsidised health scheme
• Free gym membership
• 24/7 counselling support for you and your family
• Flexible working options
• Family-friendly policies
• Up to 15% cashback at top retailers and restaurants
• Discounted gift cards for major brands
• Home and tech upgrades via salary sacrifice
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted on-site parking

Additional Information

All appointments are subject to:

• An Enhanced DBS check
• Two satisfactory references

For the full job description please click here