Payroll and Pensions Manager

Payroll and Pensions Manager

£46,889 per annum - Grade 8

Leeds / Hybrid Full time - 37 hours per week

Permanent

Closing date - Sunday 26 July 2026 at 23:55

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.

We currently have a vacancy for a Payroll and Pensions Manager to join our Finance team.

Due to retirement of the current postholder, we are looking for a Payroll and Pensions Manager to oversee the delivery of our in-house comprehensive payroll and pension service, ensuring compliance, accuracy and exceptional customer service. Leading a dedicated team, you will be responsible for managing complex payroll operations, pension scheme administration and legislative compliance.

Working closely with colleagues across Finance, HR and external partners, you will drive continuous improvement, strengthen controls, and provide expert advice on payroll and pensions matters. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled professional to make a significant contribution to a forward-thinking organisation committed to delivering high-quality services.

Our Offer

· Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.

· Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.

· Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).

· Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

· Investing in you – Take advantage of supported professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.

· Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.

· Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.

· Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.

· Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

Reporting into the Financial Controller, your key responsibilities will include:

• Responsible for the management and accurate / timely calculation of monthly payroll and compliant / statutory returns to HMRC, Pension Authority, other bodies as well as providing accurate / timely Payroll & Pension Management Information while ensuring compliance with internal policy and statutory regulations.

• To provide professional guidance and investigate / resolve problems and enquiries, in a confidential manner, from internal and external stakeholders.

• Responsibility for ensuring all relevant financial controls and procedures are maintained and adhered to for the Combined Authority and all associated companies. Responsibility for leading and managing the Payroll and Pensions Officer and Payroll and Pensions Assistant on the financial transaction processes in the team. This includes assuming accountability for financial transactions, payments and debt collection.

Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

• Relevant professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals level 6).

• In depth expertise across the payroll and finance function with the ability to identify, manage and resolve any complex concerns / problems.

• Strong working understanding, knowledge and experience of payroll, HMRC and Local Government pension regulations.

• Experience of leading and managing a team to deliver against KPIs ensuring accuracy and the meeting of key deadlines including supervision on day-to-day tasks.

• Experience of leading on the production of monthly payrolls and related statutory returns.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form on our website and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met. Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis