Payroll Officer – Office Based (Permanent)

Payroll Administrator | Preston | Public Sector | £24-£26k | Hybrid Your new company   As a Payroll & Pensions Officer, you’ll be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and pensions for university employees. You’ll ensure data integrity, compliance with statutory regulations, and provide excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders. This role is a full-time role with a hybrid policy of up to 2 days working from home where you will be working 36.25 hours per week. This organisation offers one of the most generous benefits packages in the sector! Input and validate payroll data using the HR/Payroll system- Process temporary changes such as holiday pay, overtime, deductions, and statutory payments (SMP, SSP)– Manage pension scheme enrolments, opt-outs, and leaver adjustments across multiple schemes (LGPS, USS, TPS, NEST, Royal London, NHS)– Maintain secure and up-to-date payroll and pension records– Ensure adherence to HMRC regulations, pension legislation, and internal financial policies– Support internal and external audits with documentation and explanations– Act as the first point of contact for payroll and pension queries from staff and external bodies– Provide clear guidance on payslips, tax codes, pension contributions, and general payroll matters– Escalate complex queries to senior payroll officers when needed– Assist with the production and distribution of payslips, P60s, P45s, and other payroll documentation– Collaborate with HR, Finance, and other departments to ensure smooth payroll operations– Contribute to the development and improvement of payroll procedures and guidance documents– Attend team meetings, training sessions, and professional development events– Experience in payroll or pensions administration in a busy office environment Strong Excel skills (including VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables) Confidence handling sensitive data and communicating clearly 35 Days Annual Leave(30 days + bank holidays + Christmas shutdown) Hybrid Working – 2 days from home Free On-Site Parking Guaranteed Annual Pay Rise for hitting performance targets Flexi-Time – extra hours worked can be taken as holiday Generous Pension Scheme Occupational Maternity Leave  Sick Pay Access to a Dedicated Training Centre for ongoing development …