Payroll Officer

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join our Payroll Services team and support the accurate, timely delivery of weekly and monthly payrolls across the Trust.

Closing date: 18 May 2026

This role is suited to someone with hands on payroll experience who can work confidently and independently, applying NHS terms and conditions and statutory payroll regulations with minimal guidance. The successful candidate will play an active role from day one, helping to maintain service continuity and support colleagues through effective, reliable payroll processing.

Due to current service pressures, this post is not suitable for candidates seeking a training or entry level payroll role. Applicants must be able to demonstrate recent, practical experience working in a payroll environment.

We value work life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, including up to 50% home working, alongside a collaborative and supportive office culture. Teamwork, professionalism and a strong customer focus are central to how we work.

Main duties of the job

• Process payroll data accurately and efficiently within set deadlines.
• Apply statutory rules for tax, National Insurance, sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption payments.
• Validate documentation, check outputs and maintain accurate payroll records.
• Respond to staff and manager enquiries, offering clear and supportive advice.
• Process previous service enquiries, contract checks and absence updates.
• Support the distribution of payslips and payroll documentation.
• Assist in training new colleagues and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Ensure all work complies with Trust processes and statutory guidelines.

Immigration and sponsorship

As per Home Office guidelines, the Trust cannot offer sponsorship for this position. A full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. If you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have applied for a Graduate visa or have completed your course and applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment. Alternatively, if the Trust agrees to sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment, sponsorship may be considered.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements including up to 50% home working.

Development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on site leisure facilities, a shopping concourse, day nurseries and subsidised parking.

24/7 on site hot food at a reduced cost and dedicated staff break spaces.

Person Specification Qualifications

• IPPM Foundation Level or NVQ Level 3 in Payroll Administration or Equivalent Experience.
• Ongoing payroll or pensions related professional development.

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Experience

• Recent, hands on experience working in a payroll environment.
• Practical experience of using a computerised integrated HR and Payroll System.
• Experience processing weekly and/or monthly payrolls to strict deadlines.
• Ability to manage own payroll workload independently to meet deadlines.
• Experience validating payroll data, checking outputs and resolving discrepancies.
• Experience of IT packages - Microsoft Office.
• Experience applying payroll legislation including PAYE, National Insurance and statutory payments.
• Experience of ESR Payroll System.
• Experience dealing directly with HMRC or other external bodies.
• Experience applying NHS Terms and Conditions.

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of payroll confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Understanding of the importance of accuracy and audit compliance in payroll processing.
• Understanding of customer service.
• Working knowledge of payroll legislation including PAYE, NI, SSP and statutory family leave payments.
• Knowledge of NHS pay structures and NHS Pension Scheme regulations.

Skills

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Effective communication skills when responding to payroll queries from staff and managers.
• Ability to handle payroll queries professionally and sensitively.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to work accurately with a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Ability to store and safeguard confidential documents.
• Experience supporting service improvement or process change within a payroll function.

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.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust