Post Introduction

We Include. You Belong.

Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

Overview

The National Church Institutions (NCIs) are national administrative bodies that work together to support the mission and ministry of the Church of England. Their activities are hugely varied, ranging from management of a multi-billion-pound investment fund, to a grant-giving charity, a housing service for retired clergy and the administration of four multi-employer pension schemes.

The Payroll Team is part of the NCIs Finance department, a shared services function serving the NCIs and the wider Church. It has responsibility for processing the monthly payroll for the Church of England’s 8,000 stipendiary clergy (in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man), staff working for the National Church Institutions and Bishops’ office staff, those employed at the Church of England Pensions Board’s supported housing schemes, and a number of smaller Church-related clients.   Whilst the team is embedded within the Finance function, they work closely with the NCIs HR team, the People System team and diocesan colleagues to ensure the delivery of a joined-up high quality service to a broad range of stakeholders. 

The NCIs have recently implemented Oracle HCM Cloud as their People System through which all payroll processing and reporting activity will be undertaken. This is a landmark project which will for the first time enable the Church of England to maintain a single lifetime record for all clergy who have a Bishops’ licence or Permission to Officiate (whether paid or unpaid), and will facilitate the consistent management of people data across the NCIs and the wider Church. The ambition of the NCIs is to expand the Payroll function to offer payroll services to additional clients, including dioceses, cathedrals and other Church bodies. 

Post Introduction

We are looking for a Payroll Officer (PO) to undertake end-to-end payroll administration tasks in accordance with NCI/diocesan policies and relevant legislation. You will work within an agreed control framework and in line with agreed monthly timetables and service levels to deliver payroll processing for all relevant payrolls. 

The POs are the first point of contact for payroll-related queries from individuals (staff, clergy etc.) and customers (NCIs HR, dioceses, Bishops’ offices etc.) so a polite, service-orientated approach is essential.

This is a fixed term contract expected to last for 6 months.

To arrange an informal conversation about the role and working arrangements, please contact sandra.woodeson@churchofengland.org 

The closing date for applications is 24 April 2024 (midnight).

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.

We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

The Role

Payroll processing and customer service

• End to end payroll processing for all relevant payrolls (starters, leavers, changes, variance checking etc.) including National Church Institutions, Clergy, and payroll bureaux customers. Total headcount of all payrolls is around 8,500 payees across UK, Isle of Man and Channel Island specific legislation.
• Prepare paperwork to support the processing of out-of-cycle payments, advances, etc.
• Administration of overpayment process and death in service process.
• Preparation of third party payment requests, and liaising with HMRC or other third party payees (e.g. CMCU, Pensions Board, other Pension providers etc.) to ensure timely payment of contributions and provision of relevant reports.
• Responding to enquiries (by phone, email, online) from payees and payroll customers (NCIs, dioceses, Bishops’ offices etc.) on a timely basis, demonstrating high levels of customer service.

Statutory compliance

• Application of UK/Channel Islands/Isle of Man payroll legislation and all relevant NCI/Church policies when undertaking payroll processing tasks including PAYE, NI, student loans, childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, parental leave, statutory payments, court orders, GAYE, other personal deductions, and tax year start/tax year end etc.

Internal controls

• Adhering to internal control requirements in line with agreed processes and audit compliance.
• Working with the Senior Payroll Advisors to undertake monthly account reconciliations and clear SAP control accounts.
• Supporting the provision of information for internal and external audit processes as required.

Process efficiency

• Proactive and strict management of the payroll cut off deadlines, including sending email reminders.
• Working within Service Level Agreements and supporting the production of relevant KPIs to monitor performance of the team.
• Keeping procedure manuals and desk notes up-to-date, reflecting agreed changes in working practices.
• Working with the Senior Payroll Advisors, look for opportunities to improve processes and implement changes as agreed.
• Undertaking User Acceptance Testing for payroll processes as required to support system upgrades and patch releases.

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitude:

• Meticulous attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
• Very good numerical skills, able to undertake calculations with confidence and spot errors.
• Good IT skills, with accurate and quick data entry/ keyboard skills.
• Confident, polite, service-orientated approach, able to offer excellent customer service.
• Able to identify priorities and plan and organise daily work routines.
• Ability to work well and effectively under pressure to meet strict deadlines.
• Able to communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Can-do attitude, and team player approach.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of working within a payroll environment using computerised payroll systems.
• Experience of dealing with a large and varied customer base.
• Experience of working in a collaborative, team environment.
• Familiar with basic UK payroll legislation.

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent standard  and proven experience within a similar role.

Desirable

• Level 3 National Payroll Certificate or similar (e.g CIPP).
• Experience of using Oracle HCM Cloud.
• Up to date knowledge of IOM (ITIP and IOM NI) and Channel Island payroll (SI Soc Sec) legislation. 

About Us

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.  

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions at Careers | The Church of England

NCI values

• We strive for excellence 
• We collaborate 
• We act with integrity 
• We show compassion 
• We respect others 

We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward.  The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values.  Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. 

If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.  

• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.