Payroll & Benefits Officer (Part-time)

_**Please submit the Queens' College Application Form and HR Details form found on the Queens' College website, along with your CV**_

**Overall Purpose of Job**

Efficient and accurate management of payroll and benefits processes across the College. As the payroll specialist, lead the payroll and pension functions, ensuring compliance and regulatory standards are adhered to whilst providing excellent customer service. Working closely with the Bursary and HR Departments to ensure seamless integration of payroll, benefits, and HR and payroll systems, contributing to the continuous improvement of processes within the College.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**

**Payroll Management include**:

- Manage and oversee the end-to-end payroll process, both monthly and annually, ensuring accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements.
- Calculate and process payments for all staff and casual workers, ensuring appropriate authorisation and timely execution.
- Manage and maintain payroll records, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and safeguarding confidential data.
- Prepare and submit returns/standard forms, including P45s, P60s and P11Ds, ensuring full compliance with HMRC regulations.
- Reconcile month and year-end figures for PAYE, National Insurance, Student Loans, SMP/SPP/SAP/ShPP and other deductions.
- Prepare month-end payroll summaries and reports to HMRC, including RTI, P11d’s and P46’s.
- Stay updated on Payroll legislation, tax regulations and reporting requirements, ensuring all processes are compliant with legal requirements.
- Review and verify payroll reports, including salaries, taxes, deductions, and pension contributions.
- Manage pay awards, arrears, overtime claims, and other variations in pay, ensuring proper authorisation and processing.
- Conduct regular audits or reconciliations to ensure data integrity.
- Collaborate with finance and HR teams to ensure accurate reporting and integration between payroll, benefits and other systems.

**Pension and Benefits include**:

- Managing the administration of pension schemes (USS, CCFPS and NEST), ensuring accurate deductions, payments and returns.
- Handle auto-enrolment and re-enrolment processes, ensuring compliance with pension regulations.
- Maintain comprehensive records for all pension matters including memberships, contribution data, AVC’s, etc.
- Prepare, reconcile, and submit returns to pension schemes.
- Liaise with pension providers and external agencies regarding joiners and leavers, queries, and calculate monthly deductions for pensions.
- Stay updated with changes in Pension legislation and ensure compliance with tax regulations and reporting requirements.
- Work alongside Head of HR to manage and enhance existing employee benefits and processing of benefits programmes.

**General duties include**:

- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll and benefits queries from all staff.
- Identify areas for improvement within payroll and benefits processes, implementing effective solutions to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
- Ensure all processes are documented and regularly updated, maintaining clear and accessible records.
- Prepare and submit regular reports, including University statistics and returns to pension schemes.
- Collaborate with IT and software vendors to resolve system issues and implement enhancements.
- Consult with auditors, DWP, HMRC, etc on relevant matters as required.
- Assist with the implementation of new HR and payroll system (PeopleXD).
- To support colleagues in the Bursary and HR Departments as required and to contribute to the overall work of the College.
- To undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post and as directed by the Chief Clerk, Head of HR or the Senior Bursar.

**Person Specification**

Essential:

- Comprehensive knowledge and experience in processing payroll, payroll legislation, regulation and tax compliance, including statutory payments.
- Experience working in a busy payroll or finance team, handling end-to-end payroll processes.
- Strong numerical aptitude and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in payroll software and Microsoft Excel.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail, especially when handling numerical data.
- Ability to identify and resolve discrepancies and issues in payroll processing.
- Experience in managing employee benefits.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly to all staff.
- Proven ability to manage workload, prioritise tasks and meet strict deadlines with accuracy.
- Demonstrate ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the highest level of discretion.
- Highly professional, proactive, and capable of identifying opportunities for process improvement and personal development.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Courteous, approachable, efficient, and diligent.

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