Payroll, Pensions and Benefits Manager

The Role

We have an exciting and new opportunity for a Payroll, Pensions & Benefits Manager to join our newly formed People and Culture function based in Northampton.

The ideal candidate will come from an education/public sector background, be CIPP qualified, innovative, with great attention to detail and have extensive payroll experience working in a busy and large organisation.

This is an exciting time to join East Midlands Academy Trust as we are growing and developing our People and Culture function to better support our thriving family of schools. 

We are also in the process of establishing a new five-year People development plan to shape and enhance our recruitment processes under our new Head of People and Culture.  

The successful candidate will also need to help us to embed our #EMATters culture of inclusion, innovation and impact across our family of schools. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver comprehensive end-to-end payroll process

• Maintain the monthly Payroll Changes Report and present the Payroll to the Final Payroll Approvers Monthly (Chief Executive Officer/ Chief Operating Officer, Head of Finance and Head of People & Culture) for final authorisation.

•Process pay scale and allowance uplifts in accordance with the Schools Pay and Conditions Document and National Joint Council Local Government Services Pay Agreement

• Address internal and external payroll queries, providing first-line support and escalating when necessary.

• Assist managers and employees with payroll-related inquiries, including pay, expenses, tax & NI, holiday calculations, and sick pay.

• Manage payroll processes: new starters, changes, leavers, SMP, SSP, company cars, car allowances, and monthly data input.

• Ensure compliance with UK employment laws, GDPR, pensions, and other relevant legislation.

• Oversee benefit management

• Generate monthly reports and journals.

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate HR & Payroll records.

• Continuously improve procedures and processes for optimal service delivery.

 • Ensure documentation and authorisations comply with the Trusts policy and legal requirements.

 • Collaborate with People & Culture, Finance and external providers.

About EMAT is an exciting, innovative and growing organisation where we try to do things differently, aligned to our core values. Our Trust is a collaborative partnership of currently seven schools, with plans to grow. 

By working for our Trust, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of professional development and support opportunities, as well as a range of employee benefits. 

These include: 

• Continuous professional development and training opportunities 
• Dedicated support from our school improvement team 
• Career and leadership opportunities within our growing family of schools 
• A confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme 
• A corporate eye care plan 
• Flu jabs for all staff 
• Cycle to work scheme 

For more information or an informal conversation please email hrqueries@emat.uk. 

EMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). References will be taken up before interviews are offered. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or age. 

EMAT reserve the right to withdraw this advert early if a suitable candidate is found. 

A Note for Recruitment Agencies 

We have a team of internal recruiters and we advertise our vacancies to attract candidates and not agency suppliers. If we need agency assistance then we will reach out to our trusted partners. Any speculative CVs we receive will not be accepted as an introduction. We have an exciting and new opportunity for a Payroll, Pensions & Benefits Manager to join our newly formed People and Culture function based in Northampton.

The ideal candidate will come from an education/public sector background, be CIPP qualified, innovative, with great attention to detail and have extensive payroll experience working in a busy and large organisation.

This is an exciting time to join East Midlands Academy Trust as we are growing and developing our People and Culture function to better support our thriving family of schools. 

We are also in the process of establishing a new five-year People development plan to shape and enhance our recruitment processes under our new Head of People and Culture.  

The successful candidate will also need to help us to embed our #EMATters culture of inclusion, innovation and impact across our family of schools. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver comprehensive end-to-end payroll process

• Maintain the monthly Payroll Changes Report and present the Payroll to the Final Payroll Approvers Monthly (Chief Executive Officer/ Chief Operating Officer, Head of Finance and Head of People & Culture) for final authorisation.

•Process pay scale and allowance uplifts in accordance with the Schools Pay and Conditions Document and National Joint Council Local Government Services Pay Agreement

• Address internal and external payroll queries, providing first-line support and escalating when necessary.

• Assist managers and employees with payroll-related inquiries, including pay, expenses, tax & NI, holiday calculations, and sick pay.

• Manage payroll processes: new starters, changes, leavers, SMP, SSP, company cars, car allowances, and monthly data input.

• Ensure compliance with UK employment laws, GDPR, pensions, and other relevant legislation.

• Oversee benefit management

• Generate monthly reports and journals.

• Maintain up-to-date and accurate HR & Payroll records.

• Continuously improve procedures and processes for optimal service delivery.

 • Ensure documentation and authorisations comply with the Trusts policy and legal requirements.

 • Collaborate with People & Culture, Finance and external providers.

About EMAT is an exciting, innovative and growing organisation where we try to do things differently, aligned to our core values. Our Trust is a collaborative partnership of currently seven schools, with plans to grow. 

By working for our Trust, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of professional development and support opportunities, as well as a range of employee benefits. 

These include: 

• Continuous professional development and training opportunities 
• Dedicated support from our school improvement team 
• Career and leadership opportunities within our growing family of schools 
• A confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme 
• A corporate eye care plan 
• Flu jabs for all staff 
• Cycle to work scheme 

For more information or an informal conversation please email hrqueries@emat.uk. 

EMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). References will be taken up before interviews are offered. 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or age. 

EMAT reserve the right to withdraw this advert early if a suitable candidate is found. 

A Note for Recruitment Agencies 

We have a team of internal recruiters and we advertise our vacancies to attract candidates and not agency suppliers. If we need agency assistance then we will reach out to our trusted partners. Any speculative CVs we receive will not be accepted as an introduction.