Payroll & People Advisor Permanent, Full Time Salary: £26,315 up to £30,959 per annum Location: Chelmsford Working Style: Anywhere Worker This position follows an Anywhere Worker model, with attendance at the Chelmsford office required on average one day a week based on business needs. Our client is seeking a Payroll & People Advisor with strong experience in compiling contracts of employment and a solid understanding of HMRC statutory absence legislation. Knowledge of tax, national insurance, pension regulation contributions, and system expertise for user acceptance testing is essential. The payroll function sits within a broader People, Policy, Economy, and Public Health framework, playing a critical role in shaping both employee and customer experiences. Our client is investing in new technologies to enhance user support, streamline self-service capabilities, and strengthen the transactional service. As Payroll & People Advisor, you will deliver a high-quality payroll and customer-focused service. You’ll be responsible for managing a high volume of diverse transactions, adhering to strict deadlines, and resolving payroll queries through detailed, analytical processing. You’ll act as a first point of contact, providing swift and effective resolutions. The service ethos is centered around delivering support and guidance that is simple, clear, efficient, and effective — reflected in communication style, terminology, and processes. Key Responsibilities: Ensure accurate data input to process payments and deductions in line with statutory and contractual requirements (e.g., pension contributions). Resolve complex payroll queries within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Manage payroll processes for payments to employees and third parties, and perform associated statutory/internal reporting. Safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of personal, contractual, and financial information. Collaborate effectively within a team, delivering high-quality outputs and maintaining strong service standards. Respond promptly to customer queries across multiple channels including portal, written correspondence, and verbal communication. Contribute to service improvements and system testing to exceed customer expectations. Work towards individual and team targets set out within the performance management framework. What You’ll Bring: Essential: Strong experience in compiling contracts of employment. Solid knowledge of HMRC statutory absence legislation, tax, national insurance, and pension contributions. Experience in user acceptance testing of payroll systems. Evidence of ongoing professional development; working towards CIPP qualification. Accuracy in data input, ensuring payments/deductions comply with relevant requirements. Proficiency in using payroll systems to deliver excellent service. Understanding of statutory payments, deductions, and pension schemes. Desirable: Ability to collaborate across teams and provide policy-related advice. Strong communication skills, with a high level of empathy and professionalism. Experience working in a customer-focused environment, resolving queries, and continuously improving service delivery