Assistant Payroll Business Partner

Job Description

• Support Services Division | Head Office – Unity Place, Norwich
• £34,169.53
• 37 hours per week | Monday to Friday |

Permanent contract

Norse Group's Support Services Division provides a wide range of essential internal services that support the successful operation of the wider organisation. At the heart of these services is our central payroll team, based at our Head Office at Unity Place in Norwich.

We are now seeking an enthusiastic, organised Assistant Payroll Business Partner to join our friendly and professional team on a full time, permanent contract, working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional to develop their knowledge and expertise within a busy payroll environment, supporting the delivery of a high-quality payroll service across the Group.

The Role

As Assistant Payroll Business Partner, you will play an important role in supporting the effective day-to-day operation of the payroll department. Working closely with the Payroll Business Partner and wider payroll team, you will help ensure that payroll activities are delivered accurately, efficiently and within strict operational deadlines.

You will take responsibility for maintaining accurate payroll information and overseeing the end-to-end processing of a number of smaller payrolls, whilst providing support and assistance with more complex payrolls when required.

The role requires a proactive approach, strong attention to detail and the ability to identify potential issues, take ownership of tasks and work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver an effective and responsive service.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Managing and processing designated payrolls, ensuring all employee information, pay adjustments, deductions and associated changes are accurately recorded and processed within agreed timescales.
• Maintaining the accuracy and integrity of payroll data, ensuring that all information is complete, appropriately authorised and compliant with internal procedures and statutory requirements.
• Overseeing the administration and processing of smaller payrolls, providing additional support to the Payroll Business Partner with larger or more complex payroll activities.
• Undertaking payroll checks, reconciliations and validation exercises to identify discrepancies, investigate variances and ensure the accuracy of payroll calculations.
• Supporting the effective operation of payroll controls, quality assurance measures and audit processes, ensuring that appropriate records and supporting documentation are maintained.
• Identifying, investigating and escalating payroll discrepancies, service delivery concerns or operational issues to the Payroll Business Partner, contributing towards practical and effective resolutions.
• Developing and maintaining a thorough understanding of payroll policies, procedures, employment legislation and statutory requirements, ensuring that changes are understood and appropriately reflected in payroll processes.
• Supporting the administration of statutory deductions, pension contributions and associated pension returns, ensuring that information is accurate and submitted within required deadlines.
• Responding to payroll enquiries from employees, managers, internal departments and external organisations, providing clear, accurate and timely advice whilst maintaining excellent standards of customer service.
• Building positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the Group, helping to ensure that payroll queries are resolved efficiently and professionally.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of payroll processes, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and enhance the overall service provided.
• Providing general support across the payroll team as required, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to assist with changing operational priorities.

Our Successful Candidate

We are looking for someone who has a genuine interest in payroll and takes pride in delivering an accurate, reliable and customer-focused service.

You will ideally have previous experience in a similar payroll position, preferably within a busy organisation where you have been responsible for managing competing priorities and working to strict payroll deadlines.

You will be confident working with payroll information, comfortable investigating discrepancies and able to demonstrate a methodical and organised approach to your work.

• Previous experience working within a payroll environment, with an understanding of payroll processes and the importance of accurate and timely salary payments.
• Experience using relevant payroll systems and the ability to develop an understanding of new systems and processes.
• A good understanding of statutory payroll requirements, including pension legislation, contributions and associated reporting responsibilities.
• Ideally, knowledge and experience of administering Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS), including the associated requirements for employee records, pension contributions and returns.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, alongside the ability to work confidently with Microsoft Office applications and payroll-related systems.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret payroll information, identify discrepancies and investigate issues effectively.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage your own workload, prioritise competing demands and consistently meet strict deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to build effective working relationships and respond professionally to a wide range of payroll enquiries.
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly when handling sensitive employee and financial information.
• A flexible, collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to work independently whilst contributing positively to the wider team.
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality, professionalism and high standards of customer service at all times.

Our Offer

At Norse Group, we recognise that our people are central to our success. We offer the opportunity to join a supportive, friendly and professional payroll team where your contribution will make a real difference to the service we deliver across the wider organisation.

Alongside the opportunity to develop your payroll knowledge and experience, we offer:

• £34,169.53
• 33 Days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• 4+4 sickness scheme.
• Statutory NEST pension provision.
• Access to company benefits and discounts.
• Free on-site parking at our Unity Place Head Office.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression and personal development.
• Opportunities to undertake further professional qualifications and enhance your technical payroll knowledge.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to build on their existing payroll experience, broaden their understanding of a complex organisational payroll function and develop towards a more senior payroll or business partnering position.

Additional Information

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications. If you have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful and will not be progressed to the next stage.