Payroll and Pensions Officer

Salary: Band 5, £27,531 – £28,653 per annum

Location: Agile, Forth Banks Police Station and homeworking

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, fixed term / secondment for 12 months

The role

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Finance Department as a Payroll and Pensions Officer.

Working as part of a busy team you will be required to work methodically to process all authorised payroll and pensions related data. You will provide a comprehensive administration using core finance payroll and pensions systems ensuring the prompt and accurate payment to all Police Staff, Officers, Office of Police and Crime Commissioner and Police Pensioners in accordance with their relevant condition of service.

You will be required to deal with any queries within the payroll deadlines ensuring accuracy of remuneration in accordance with legislation, policy and regulations.

What you'll do

• Process all authorised information and data on core finance payroll & pensions systems within specified timescales and in accordance with legislation, regulations and payroll procedures to ensure that appropriate and accurate payments are made to all staff, officers, OPCC and pensioners within agreed timescales.
• Calculate all employee sicknesses, child related absences and related statutory payments. Liaising with individuals and welfare officers. Provide relevant information as required to third parties in line with the Data Protection Act and GDPR. Process incremental pay progression for police staff and officer in line with current policy and procedure.
• Ensure all manual and electronic records are maintained on core finance payroll & pensions systems to ensure accurate reporting and budget monitoring to enable an efficient service to the force.
• Processing of all police officer retirements, including the calculation of lump sum and annual pension payments ensuring that all relevant tax charges are deducted in accordance with legislation.
• Administration of the police pensioner payroll ensuring accurate calculation and application of pensions increase to applicable police pensioners, calculation and operation of GMP, calculation and implementation of any widows' benefits. Processing of pension transfers into the police pension schemes and cash equivalent transfer values for matrimonial purposes.

What you'll bring

• Basic knowledge of payroll and pension scheme.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and high personal and professional standards.
• An ability to take responsibility in an innovative and proactive manner, applying problem solving skills where required.
• Experience of operating to strict deadlines.
• Good understanding of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

We know it's important for you to feel that you're not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

We are committed to building a dynamic, agile workplace where meaningful connection are key. For roles designated as agile or home-based, employees will work from a Force site at least once a week, with two days recommended. Hiring managers will be happy to discuss how this works in practice at interview stage. This approach helps build strong relationships, supports wellbeing, and fosters collaboration across teams.

Just so you know

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Payroll and Pensions Officer with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you're applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.

The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by an interview and assessment. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate with to improve the lives of disabled employees. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, therefore if you demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as stated in the advert, we will progress your application and offer you an interview.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we'll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information and references.

Terms of appointment

These are fixed term / secondment roles subject to a six-month probationary period.

If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

Please note if you are interested in applying for this secondment opportunity, please discuss this with your Line Manager and gain agreement prior to applying.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.