Payroll Services Lead

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Payroll and People Services Operations Lead to join a large, complex public sector organisation on a 12-month basis.This is a senior leadership role focused on stabilising, modernising, and leading the payroll and people services function, ensuring accurate, compliant and efficient service delivery across the organisation.Key responsibilities include:Leading the delivery of a timely and accurate payroll service via an outsourced providerManaging payroll contracts, SLAs, KPIs and service performanceActing as the organisation''s subject matter expert on payroll, pensions, and complianceOverseeing all employee lifecycle changes (pay, absence, pensions, contractual changes etc.)Driving service improvement, process optimisation, and governance across payroll and people services Ensuring strong data integrity, audit controls, and reporting capabilityLeading and developing a People Services team, embedding high performance and continuous improvement Acting as the key interface between HR, Finance, and payroll providersYou will bring:Extensive payroll expertise, ideally within the NHS or public sectorStrong knowledge of NHS pensions, and statutory payroll regulations A track record of leading payroll functions, including outsourced service managementExperience managing and developing teams through change and service transformationStrong understanding of ESR and payroll systems, alongside data, audit and controls ..... full job details .....