Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Director of Pay and Pension Services

The closing date is 07 September 2025

Job summary

At the Royal Devon, we know that delivering excellent care starts with supporting our people. To achieve this, we are introducing the pivotal role of Associate Director of Pay and Pension Services a senior leadership position that will bring together and oversee Payroll, Pensions and Benefits across the whole of Devon into one consolidated, system-wide function.

This role will lead the design and establishment of the new service, ensuring its successful transition into a fully operational, sustainable model. Beyond implementation, you will provide ongoing strategic and operational leadership, ensuring pay and pensions services are consistently accurate, compliant and future-focused. With experience of delivering organisational change, you will understand how to balance the sensitivities of transformation with the need to maintain service excellence, ensuring colleagues across the system benefit from a high-quality, modern and consistent service that enables them to focus on patient care.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

185-325-11321

Job locations

Newcourt House

Newcourt Drive

Exeter

Devon

EX2 7JU


Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

This role is central to the delivery of the One Devon vision. You will be the systems subject matter expert for Pay, Pensions and Benefits, responsible for creating and embedding a single function that delivers both strategic impact and operational excellence. Working closely with Finance, Operations, HR colleagues, and national partners, you will lead the transition to a streamlined, digitised service model, making use of automation and innovative digital solutions to improve experience and efficiency.

In this role you will:

  • Provide strategic leadership to design, implement and oversee a fully integrated Pay and Pensions service for the Devon system.
  • Ensure compliance with all national, statutory and local requirements, managing processes that cover over £1.9bn in pay, tax and pension contributions annually.
  • Shape and deliver consistent policies, procedures and service standards across multiple NHS organisations, ensuring high quality outcomes for staff and stakeholders.
  • Lead on the introduction of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and digital transformation, ensuring our systems are future-ready and aligned to the national NHS Future Workforce Solutions programme.
  • Act as the systems expert advisor on pay, pensions and benefits, including support for senior remuneration and governance through Remuneration Committees.
  • Manage and develop a high-performing team, building capability, resilience and knowledge across the service.
  • Represent Devon regionally and nationally, providing assurance, expertise and innovation to the NHS Scaling People Services agenda.
  • Drive complex organisational change and transformation, with the sensitivity and strategic insight required to bring multiple organisations together behind a single shared vision. This will mean not only managing the mechanics of service redesign, but also leading cultural change, influencing senior leaders, and supporting colleagues through uncertainty and transition.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a highly experienced and credible pay and reward leader who brings more than technical expertise. You will have:

  • A proven track record of leading organisational change and transformation at scale, ideally within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
  • The ability to balance operational delivery with strategic vision, ensuring new services are embedded successfully and sustainably.
  • Exceptional relationship management and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders across finance, operations, HR and national bodies.
  • A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the resilience to navigate challenge and the empathy to support colleagues through periods of significant change.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a role of significant scale and influence, with the chance to pioneer new ways of working, drive digital transformation, and play a key part in shaping how the NHS supports its people for the future.

Please note that the Job Description is currently undergoing evaluation, and the banding is subject to the outcome of the formal matching process.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Emily Simpson, Executive and Specialist Recruitment Lead on emily.simpson21@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

This role is central to the delivery of the One Devon vision. You will be the systems subject matter expert for Pay, Pensions and Benefits, responsible for creating and embedding a single function that delivers both strategic impact and operational excellence. Working closely with Finance, Operations, HR colleagues, and national partners, you will lead the transition to a streamlined, digitised service model, making use of automation and innovative digital solutions to improve experience and efficiency.

In this role you will:

  • Provide strategic leadership to design, implement and oversee a fully integrated Pay and Pensions service for the Devon system.
  • Ensure compliance with all national, statutory and local requirements, managing processes that cover over £1.9bn in pay, tax and pension contributions annually.
  • Shape and deliver consistent policies, procedures and service standards across multiple NHS organisations, ensuring high quality outcomes for staff and stakeholders.
  • Lead on the introduction of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and digital transformation, ensuring our systems are future-ready and aligned to the national NHS Future Workforce Solutions programme.
  • Act as the systems expert advisor on pay, pensions and benefits, including support for senior remuneration and governance through Remuneration Committees.
  • Manage and develop a high-performing team, building capability, resilience and knowledge across the service.
  • Represent Devon regionally and nationally, providing assurance, expertise and innovation to the NHS Scaling People Services agenda.
  • Drive complex organisational change and transformation, with the sensitivity and strategic insight required to bring multiple organisations together behind a single shared vision. This will mean not only managing the mechanics of service redesign, but also leading cultural change, influencing senior leaders, and supporting colleagues through uncertainty and transition.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a highly experienced and credible pay and reward leader who brings more than technical expertise. You will have:

  • A proven track record of leading organisational change and transformation at scale, ideally within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
  • The ability to balance operational delivery with strategic vision, ensuring new services are embedded successfully and sustainably.
  • Exceptional relationship management and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders across finance, operations, HR and national bodies.
  • A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the resilience to navigate challenge and the empathy to support colleagues through periods of significant change.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a role of significant scale and influence, with the chance to pioneer new ways of working, drive digital transformation, and play a key part in shaping how the NHS supports its people for the future.

Please note that the Job Description is currently undergoing evaluation, and the banding is subject to the outcome of the formal matching process.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Emily Simpson, Executive and Specialist Recruitment Lead on emily.simpson21@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

  • See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Newcourt House

Newcourt Drive

Exeter

Devon

EX2 7JU


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Newcourt House

Newcourt Drive

Exeter

Devon

EX2 7JU


Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Royal Devon NHS Recruitment Team

rduh.recruitment@nhs.net

01392403642

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

185-325-11321

Job locations

Newcourt House

Newcourt Drive

Exeter

Devon

EX2 7JU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)