Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Payroll Services

This job is now closed

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the payroll and pension function for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, reporting to the Director of Finance. Due to the upcoming retirement of our long standing Head of Payroll Services we are presented with a unique opportunity to recruit his successor.

The department provides payroll and pension services to both the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced payroll leader to join the team and lead it in both the transition period and with a view to longer term service development and delivery.

For further information potential applicants are invited to contact Mike Clements, Director of Finance, for an informal conversation

Main duties of the job

To create and to lead a set of functions which provide proactive payroll services to all areas of the Trust
To ensure the Trust makes informed decisions about employee remuneration and benefits by working closely with the Directors of Finance and Directors of HR of clients, by interpretation of organisation strategies in relation to the development of employee remuneration and benefits and facilitating the implementation of these strategies
To be responsible for leading the function of Payroll services providing all Trust Care Groups and Departments with information, advice and recommendations to assist personnel with decision - making
To be responsible for the accurate & timely submission of all RTI & P11D returns to the Inland Revenue for all Trusts.
To ensure the department is proactive in future developments of Trust Payroll services
To provide necessary and relevant advice for employees on payroll and pension matters.
To develop the provision of the payroll service within the Berkshire West Place to satisfy the National and Local Shared Services Initiatives
To lead the payroll function of the Trust with the very minimal guidelines and the ability to act entirely on their own initiative

About us

Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Date posted

25 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum, dependent on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7630419COR

Job locations

Princes House

73A London Road

Reading

RG1 5UZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Strategy

Interpreting statutory legislation and providing authoritative advice to all staff across two Trusts on specialist payroll and pension matters

Ensure that the Payroll department resources are aligned with the Trust business strategy

Ensure that services are provided in accordance with agreed levels of service and the required standards of probity and in an efficient manner and provide value for money

Liaise with directors to ensure the services being provided are aligned with the operational requirements of the Trust

Formulate long-term strategic payroll plans for the Trust and for the component parts of it, allowing for variations in internal and external circumstances

Present senior managers throughout the Trust with expert interpretation and analysis of their Payroll and Pension information

Carry Corporate responsibility for the development and implementation of payroll and pension advice to all Trust personnel

To understand the business fully, enabling the Payroll function to drive change such that the Trust fulfils its strategic objectives utilising lean methodologies and planning

Develops payroll and pension policies for the organisation, working jointly with other organisations to create a consistent approach. Corporate responsibility for the implementation of all national policies and practices

Management

Prepare and maintain a rigorous standards-based approach to all core activities, to ensure that work throughout the Department is quantified and that outputs are measured to inform continuous improvement

Ensure that all staff within the Department are engaged in measuring the quality of their work, that core processes are coherent and are well understood and that the input of department staff and stakeholders is routinely sought in pursuit of enhancement to service levels

Prepare a detailed schedule of all key dates for Payroll reporting and ensure that the data input streams are organised to feed in to those and that staff are organised and capable of making the necessary contributions

Holds the budget for both pay and non-pay for the Payroll department servicing two Trusts

Responsibility for the management of several independent payroll departments. This would typically include training, continuing development, performance reviews and disciplinaries

Please see attached Job Description for full details.