Payroll & Systems Team Leader - Harlow District Council

Payroll & Systems Team Leader - Harlow District Council

Harlow District Council

Temporary, Full Time

£350.00 per day umbrella

Location: Harlow

Closing Date: 11th September 2026

Essex County Council are delighted to be supporting Harlow District Council to recruit a Payroll and Systems Team Leader on a 3–6-month contract basis. Please note that this post requires the successful individual to be based on site 4 days per week.

Harlow is a district of contrasts and an ideal location to both live and work. The town itself is thriving, with excellent shopping and leisure facilities for all ages. We have good road links to the M11 and M25 and excellent rail connections to London and Stansted Airport, just 35 minutes and 20 minutes away from Harlow respectively.

Job Purpose 

Harlow District Council are seeking an experienced Payroll and Systems Team Leader to manage the day-to-day payroll processing, ensuring that all payroll activities are delivered accurately and on time. The role involves leading and supporting the payroll team, working with HR team, and ensuring compliance with all UK payroll legislation to deliver a high-quality service to the workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and manage the payroll team to run the HDC monthly payroll, approximately 500 employees and ad hoc Elections payrolls
• Manage the end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring an accurate and timely payroll using the integrated HR/Payroll iTrent (MHR) system
• Provide expert advice on complex payroll matters, including PAYE, National Insurance, Statutory Payments, Real Time Information (RTI), Student Loans and LGPS pensions regulations
• Submit FPS and EPS returns to HMRC by the deadlines
• Ensure compliance with LGPS, Auto Enrolment and all relevant legislation
• Process third-party payments and payroll reconciliations
• Complete the monthly HMRC, National Insurance and LGPS reconciliations
• Generate monthly payroll reports and analysis for Finance team
• Submit LGPS monthly returns to Essex Pension Fund
• Processing BACS payments before pay date 15^th of the month
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes including word, Excel and Outlook
• Preferably Local Government (LG) experience and knowledge of LG pay and conditions

Essential knowledge and experience 

• CIPP qualification / HNC/HND or Degree in Payroll Management, or related subject
• Working knowledge and experience of Local Government Payroll processes and procedures and of the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS)
• Experience of working in an analysis and reporting role including the production of written reports to set deadlines.

What you should do next:

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website. If you have any queries relating to this post please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk