Join Our Team as a Payroll and Pensions Manager at Salford City Council Contract Type: Fixed term until 31st December 2026 Location: Hybrid, office based, Salford Civic Centre Are you ready to lead and inspire a dynamic payroll and pensions team? Salford City Council is seeking a passionate and experienced Payroll and Pensions Manager to join our HR Operations team. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of transforming our payroll and pensions services into a modern, future-ready operation. About the Role: As our Payroll and Pensions Manager, you will play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional payroll and pensions services to the council, schools, and external clients. You ll be joining us at a time of significant change, driving innovation and excellence within our team. Your leadership will be crucial in ensuring smooth and efficient payroll and pensions processing. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Development: Collaborate with the HR leadership team to develop strategic responses to workforce challenges. Team Leadership: Lead the payroll, pensions, and reward teams to deliver exceptional services. Compliance: Ensure adherence to audit and financial regulations. Service Agreements: Define and monitor service level agreements with customers. Contract Management: Manage external contracts to ensure value and compliance. Project Leadership: Drive key projects and transformational programmes. Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Innovative Solutions: Provide innovative solutions to meet operational needs. Team Development: Coach and support team members for professional growth. Customer Service Excellence: Promote a culture of customer service excellence. Inclusive Environment: Foster an inclusive and respectful work environment. What We re Looking For: In-depth Payroll and Pensions Knowledge: Strong understanding of payroll and pensions legislation and statutory regulations. Extensive Experience: Proven track record in Payroll, HR, or Finance teams. Attention to Detail: Precision in processing financial transactions. Leadership Skills: Ability to lead, coach, and support team members to reach their full potential. Project Management: Experience in leading key operational HR and payroll projects. Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Team Ethic: Strong teamwork mentality and willingness to collaborate. Tech Savvy: Proficiency in HR systems, payroll software, and Microsoft applications. Adaptability: Flexibility and openness to new ways of working. Why Join Us? Innovative Environment: Be part of a team that s driving change and modernising payroll and pensions services. Professional Growth: Opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career. Supportive Culture: Work in a collaborative and encouraging environment where your contributions are valued. If you re excited about making a difference and leading a team to new heights, we want to hear from you For more details, please read our detailed Payroll and Pensions Manager role profile attached. Interested in Learning More? For an informal chat about the role, feel free to reach out to David Ratchford, our Strategic Pay & HR Operations Manager at david.ratchfordsalford.gov.uk Want to know more about Salford? As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this. Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you here Continuous Service commitment New employees can keep their service related benefits when moving between a whole host of public sector organisations within Greater Manchester, which include: Councils, NHS, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, Transport for Greater Manchester, as well as many others under this scheme. Find out if this applies to you here. Guaranteed Assessment Schemes We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel by way of a Guaranteed Assessment Scheme. Our application forms ask you to indicate if you meet any of the criteria within this scheme, and so to find out more and if you qualify please click here .