Payroll Officer
Job Description
Job summary
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.
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
In this role, you will:
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.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular position.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that 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 you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on the 6th September 2026.
Interviews will be held on 16th and 17th September 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- IPPM Foundation Level or NVQ level 3 in Payroll Administration or Equivalent Experience.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of processing payroll transactions within a payroll department, in line with payroll procedures and the resolution of pay-related queries
- Experience of using a computerised payroll system to process payroll transactions and maintain payroll records
- Experience of processing payroll input, validating payroll data and investigating payroll queries in accordance with payroll procedures
- Experience of applying payroll legislation and statutory requirements, including PAYE, National Insurance and statutory payments
- Experience of working to payroll deadlines whilst managing competing priorities
- Experience of communicating with employees and managers regarding payroll-related matters
- Experience of dealing with sensitive or challenging situations whilst maintaining professionalism and confidentiality
- Experience of maintaining accurate records and ensuring a high level of data accuracy
Desirable
- NHS payroll experience
- Experience of ESR Payroll System
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the handling of sensitive employee information
- Knowledge of payroll processes, controls and procedures within a payroll environment
- Understanding of customer service principles and the provision of payroll-related support to employees and managers
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, particularly Excel and Outlook
- Working knowledge of payroll legislation and statutory payments, including PAYE, National Insurance, SSP and statutory family leave provisions
Desirable
- Conversant with NHS Terms and Conditions
Skills
Essential
- Ability to interpret payroll calculations and explain pay, deductions and statutory payments to employees and managers
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain payroll information clearly to employees, managers and external organisations
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload to meet payroll deadlines
- Ability to use own initiative and work autonomously within established procedures
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Ability to demonstrate attention to detail and maintain a high level of accuracy
- Ability to adapt to change and support new ways of working
- Ability to work under pressure whilst managing a range of payroll-related tasks and queries
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent
- Self-motivated with a proactive approach to work
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive payroll information appropriately
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 ...
