Payroll and HR Systems Officer

Plymouth CAST is looking for a permanent full time Payroll & HR Systems Officer to join our Central HR Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key operational role supporting more than 1,300 employees across our family of schools.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with payroll and HR systems and takes pride in producing accurate contractual documentation, maintaining high-quality employee records and ensuring payroll information is processed correctly.

You'll work as part of a supportive HR team and contribute to wider HR activities. The primary focus of the role is payroll administration, employment contracts, contractual changes and maintaining the Trust's HR Management Information System (MIS).

What you'll be doing

You'll be responsible for delivering an accurate, compliant and efficient payroll and HR systems service across the Trust, including:

1. Managing the day-to-day administration of the Trust's monthly payroll.
2. Preparing contracts of employment, offer letters and contractual variation documentation through the Trust HR system.
3. Processing payroll and contractual changes throughout the employee lifecycle.
4. Maintaining accurate employee, payroll and pension records within the Trust's HR Management Information System (MIS).
5. Ensuring payroll and pension information supports accurate monthly and statutory submissions.
6. Producing payroll, workforce and management information reports.
7. Monitoring data quality, maintaining HR records and supporting compliance with employment legislation, payroll regulations and GDPR.
8. Supporting recruitment administration and providing operational support across the wider HR function when required.
9. Working closely with schools, payroll providers and colleagues to deliver an efficient and customer-focused service.

About You

We're looking for someone who is organised, methodical and enjoys working with systems and data. As this is a home-based role with access to highly confidential payroll, contractual and employee information, we're looking for someone who demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. You'll be trusted to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain strict confidentiality whilst delivering an accurate and reliable service.

You'll ideally have:

1. Experience of payroll administration within a busy organisation.
2. Experience preparing contracts of employment and contractual documentation.
3. Experience maintaining HR, payroll or management information systems.
4. Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage large volumes of data accurately.
5. Good knowledge of payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and employment documentation.
6. Strong digital skills, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and HR/payroll systems.
7. Excellent organisational, communication and customer service skills.
8. The ability to manage competing priorities whilst consistently meeting deadlines.

Experience within education, a Multi-Academy Trust or the public sector, together with knowledge of Teachers' Pensions and the Local Government Pension Scheme, would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Join Plymouth CAST?

At Plymouth CAST, we're committed to providing outstanding support to our schools, enabling them to focus on delivering excellent education for every child.

As part of our Central HR Team, you'll join a collaborative and supportive environment where your expertise in payroll, contracts and HR systems will make a real difference to colleagues across the Trust.

The role attracts a £26 per month working from home allowance and 28 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays. You will also have access to the Trust's Staff Benefits scheme through BYond, a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, and, as a member of the education sector, eligibility to access Blue Light Card discounts, providing savings across thousands of retailers, travel providers, hospitality brands and more. 

If you're looking for a role where payroll, contracts and HR systems are at the heart of what you do, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date is midnight 9th September 2026. Interviews will be held during week commencing 14th September 2026.