Payroll Officer

As a Payroll Officer within our Central Team, you provide the essential stability that allows our school based colleagues to focus on their students. You aren’t just processing data; you are the first point of contact for School Business Managers, offering the expert guidance that ensures our workforce is paid accurately and on time. You will work across a diverse range of schools, managing the complexities of both Teachers' Pensions and LGPS with professional agency. The role is supporting our Payroll Team to cover maternity leave within the team. You will be working alongside the Payroll Manager and our other Payroll Officer. What You’ll Bring Technical Expertise: Proven experience in a busy payroll environment, with a high level of numeracy and attention to detail. System Proficiency: Strong Microsoft Excel skills (v-lookups and formulas) and the ability to adapt quickly to new IT systems. Relational Communication: The ability to explain complex payroll or pension information clearly and calmly to colleagues at all levels. Organisation: A disciplined approach to meeting strict monthly deadlines while managing a varied workload. Professionalism: A commitment to handling confidential data with integrity and maintaining high standards of service. The RLT Difference This role is part of the River Learning Trust (RLT), a multi-academy trust which consists of 31 schools and a school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) provider. Our schools and central team are united by a commitment to excellence and a focus on "Relational Trust." At the River Learning Trust, we believe in "Aligned Autonomy." While we have clear, shared processes, we trust you as a professional to manage your domain. A Collaborative Culture: Our Central HR and Payroll team prioritises a "Whole Person" approach. On our weekly Tuesday office day in Rose Hill, we value time for team lunches and genuine connection alongside our professional collaboration. Professional Growth: You will be part of a sophisticated central function where evidence-informed practice and shared learning are part of our daily rhythm. Flexibility: This role offers a balanced hybrid model, allowing for focused home-working alongside meaningful in-person team time. Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better. At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles. OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together. OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils. OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our