Payroll Service Manager
| Posting date: | 17 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,580.60 to £43,425.14 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 May 2026 |
| Location: | Stockton-On-Tees, County Durham |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Education Training Collective |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | REQ0001559 |
Summary
Are you a payroll expert who thrives on delivering an exceptional, customer‑focused service?
Do you enjoy problem‑solving, system integration, and driving continuous improvement? If you take pride in accuracy, compliance, and getting payroll right first time, this role offers the perfect blend of challenge, ownership, and reward.
This is a hands‑on position where you’ll have the responsibility to run our high‑quality payroll service, lead innovation and champion excellence across the organisation. You’ll bring your expertise in Payroll Systems, HMRC legislation and lead on all TPS and LGPS requirements, managing returns, queries, and ensuring we remain fully audit‑ready.
In return, you’ll receive a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
This is a unique opportunity to apply your passion for the hands-on side of payroll, whilst being rewarded for your expertise. With line management for a single team member, you get all the benefits, without the responsibility for a large payroll team. Allowing you to focus on what you do best: delivering an outstanding payroll service and using your technical expertise to make a real impact.
Who we are?
The Education Training Collective (Etc.) brings together Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, Bede Sixth Form, NETA Training and Innersummit. We provide high quality education and skills training across the Tees Valley and beyond, we are proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
“ONE Etc – fuelling ambition and driving success in a resurgent Teesside and beyond.”
Join us as we grow, improve and push for even greater impact across the Tees Valley.
About the role:
As our Payroll Service Manager, you will:
Own the full payroll and pensions service for the Group — end to end, every cycle, every detail.
Act as the organisation’s payroll expert, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a service colleagues can rely on.
Streamline and modernise processes, systems, and reporting, shaping a smarter, future‑focused payroll function.
Lead on all TPS and LGPS requirements, managing returns, queries, and ensuring we remain fully audit‑ready.
Drive improvements and innovation, enhancing the payroll experience for every colleague and manager.
If you love being trusted to run with things, this role gives you the autonomy and scope to shine.
Who we are looking for:
You’ll bring solid end‑to‑end payroll experience — ideally including TPS and LGPS — along with strong knowledge of payroll legislation. You’ll be confident working with systems and data, able to interpret complex reports, and comfortable making sound, independent decisions. Above all, you’ll be proactive, reliable, and committed to delivering an excellent service to colleagues across the Group.
Why Join Us?
We are proud that 91% of our employees tell us that Etc. is a Great Place to Work. Here is a snapshot of what you can expect, for further information about all our benefits please see our employee benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement (34-43 days per annum inclusive of bank holidays, depending on role and length of service) and up to 5 additional days leave at Christmas.
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with Employer Contributions
We are a listed body on the Modification Order – come work for us without a break and protect your accrued continuous service to date.
2 Wellbeing days per year
Access to a number of other employee benefits including, a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing programme, 24/7 Online GP access with NHS registered doctors, employee assistance programme, discounts at high street and online retailers, free on-site parking, plus many more.
We value the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, respect and support. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
Schedule
This role is a full-time position currently based at Stockton Riverside College, with some travel between Group sites expected. But with multiple sites in our Group, we can be flexible with your primary base to suit candidate preferences.
Monday to Friday (start and finish times can be discussed)
We’re open to alternative working patterns- just ask!
Ready to Apply?
If you’re someone who thrives when trusted with responsibility, someone who loves building systems, driving improvements and being the go‑to specialist, we’d be delighted to receive your application.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is midnight 1st May 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure by the DBS.
If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website. Nacro - or email helpline@nacro.org.uk or phone 0300 123 1999 or Unlock – phone 01634 247350 text 07824 113848.
We’re an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Recruitment decisions are based on skills and experience, and we’re proud to be Disability Confident committed. For more information please see our EDIB policy
Safeguarding is also priority for the group and we have key policies and systems which help to make the group a safe place for learners and staff. The purpose of these policies is to provide clear guidance regarding Safeguarding responsibilities throughout the group, including the Prevent Duty. Check out our Safeguarding Policy for more information.
*note we do not accept CVs or late applications, no agencies please
All applications must be completed via our website
Do you enjoy problem‑solving, system integration, and driving continuous improvement? If you take pride in accuracy, compliance, and getting payroll right first time, this role offers the perfect blend of challenge, ownership, and reward.
This is a hands‑on position where you’ll have the responsibility to run our high‑quality payroll service, lead innovation and champion excellence across the organisation. You’ll bring your expertise in Payroll Systems, HMRC legislation and lead on all TPS and LGPS requirements, managing returns, queries, and ensuring we remain fully audit‑ready.
In return, you’ll receive a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
This is a unique opportunity to apply your passion for the hands-on side of payroll, whilst being rewarded for your expertise. With line management for a single team member, you get all the benefits, without the responsibility for a large payroll team. Allowing you to focus on what you do best: delivering an outstanding payroll service and using your technical expertise to make a real impact.
Who we are?
The Education Training Collective (Etc.) brings together Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, Bede Sixth Form, NETA Training and Innersummit. We provide high quality education and skills training across the Tees Valley and beyond, we are proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
“ONE Etc – fuelling ambition and driving success in a resurgent Teesside and beyond.”
Join us as we grow, improve and push for even greater impact across the Tees Valley.
About the role:
As our Payroll Service Manager, you will:
Own the full payroll and pensions service for the Group — end to end, every cycle, every detail.
Act as the organisation’s payroll expert, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a service colleagues can rely on.
Streamline and modernise processes, systems, and reporting, shaping a smarter, future‑focused payroll function.
Lead on all TPS and LGPS requirements, managing returns, queries, and ensuring we remain fully audit‑ready.
Drive improvements and innovation, enhancing the payroll experience for every colleague and manager.
If you love being trusted to run with things, this role gives you the autonomy and scope to shine.
Who we are looking for:
You’ll bring solid end‑to‑end payroll experience — ideally including TPS and LGPS — along with strong knowledge of payroll legislation. You’ll be confident working with systems and data, able to interpret complex reports, and comfortable making sound, independent decisions. Above all, you’ll be proactive, reliable, and committed to delivering an excellent service to colleagues across the Group.
Why Join Us?
We are proud that 91% of our employees tell us that Etc. is a Great Place to Work. Here is a snapshot of what you can expect, for further information about all our benefits please see our employee benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement (34-43 days per annum inclusive of bank holidays, depending on role and length of service) and up to 5 additional days leave at Christmas.
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with Employer Contributions
We are a listed body on the Modification Order – come work for us without a break and protect your accrued continuous service to date.
2 Wellbeing days per year
Access to a number of other employee benefits including, a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing programme, 24/7 Online GP access with NHS registered doctors, employee assistance programme, discounts at high street and online retailers, free on-site parking, plus many more.
We value the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, respect and support. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
Schedule
This role is a full-time position currently based at Stockton Riverside College, with some travel between Group sites expected. But with multiple sites in our Group, we can be flexible with your primary base to suit candidate preferences.
Monday to Friday (start and finish times can be discussed)
We’re open to alternative working patterns- just ask!
Ready to Apply?
If you’re someone who thrives when trusted with responsibility, someone who loves building systems, driving improvements and being the go‑to specialist, we’d be delighted to receive your application.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is midnight 1st May 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure by the DBS.
If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website. Nacro - or email helpline@nacro.org.uk or phone 0300 123 1999 or Unlock – phone 01634 247350 text 07824 113848.
We’re an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Recruitment decisions are based on skills and experience, and we’re proud to be Disability Confident committed. For more information please see our EDIB policy
Safeguarding is also priority for the group and we have key policies and systems which help to make the group a safe place for learners and staff. The purpose of these policies is to provide clear guidance regarding Safeguarding responsibilities throughout the group, including the Prevent Duty. Check out our Safeguarding Policy for more information.
*note we do not accept CVs or late applications, no agencies please
All applications must be completed via our website
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.