Payroll and Pensions Manager

Do you want to join a team that provides outstanding leadership, strategic direction and support to some of the best schools in the country? Do you want to play your part in delivering outstanding learning and teaching to young people in disadvantaged communities? If so, joining the Star team might just be the best career move you ever make.

About Star Central

Star Central, which is based at our head office in Blackburn, Lancashire, provides leadership, strategic direction and support to Star Academies, Star Institute and our schools.

The Star Central team includes experts from a range of professional backgrounds, who work together to provide an outstanding support service to the Star community. We support our schools to provide educational and operational excellence and to cultivate a strong Star community, with the aim of nurturing today's young people and inspiring tomorrow's leaders.

Who we're looking for

As the Payroll and Pensions Manager, you will be administering and reporting employees' pension information to all pension schemes (currently TPS and 4 LGPS). The successful candidate will need to manage tight payroll cut-off dates alongside the various external reporting deadlines set by the pension schemes and HMRC. You will be the subject expert on education sector specific payroll and pensions subject matters, and you will have two direct reports supporting you in delivering the Trust's payroll and pension obligations. As the Trust continues to grow, both organically and through conversions, you will lead on onboarding new schools into the Trust's payroll and pension schemes.

You will have:

• A recognised payroll qualification (e.g. CIPP).


• Dealing with end to end payroll and have a good pensions knowledge.


• Three years' experience in finance, HR or payroll.


• Ability to prioritise conflicting demands & thrive under pressure.


• Ability to take a problem solving approach to tasks, and develop well thought through, valid and financially sound solutions.


About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you'll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person's future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Find out more

Please download the job description and person specification below for further information about the role. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role please contact Star Central by calling .

Key Dates

Closing Date: Tuesday, 28 May 2024 at midnight.

Interview Date: Friday, 07 June 2024.

Proposed Start Date: Thursday, 01 August 2024.

Application Process

To apply for this vacancy please use the 'Apply for job' link below. You should ensure your application form and supporting statement address all elements of the person specification. We will only consider candidates who meet the vast majority of the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Our Commitment

Star Academies is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of pupils. Our comprehensive recruitment and selection processes aim to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Successful candidates are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks.

We are equally committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity. We aim for our workforce to be representative of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to providing equality and fairness in our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.


• A recognised payroll qualification (e.g. CIPP).


• Dealing with end to end payroll and have a good pensions knowledge.


• Three years' experience in finance, HR or payroll.


• Ability to prioritise conflicting demands & thrive under pressure.


• Ability to take a problem solving approach to tasks, and develop well thought through, valid and financially sound solutions.
  
  Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you'll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person's future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.


Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our learning and development centre, Star Institute. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.