Head of Payroll & Pensions

Head of Payroll & Pensions

Salary: £75K- £79,629 / Year
Job type: Permanent
Location: London

Ackerman Pierce are helping Lewisham Council seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Payroll & Pensions to lead our high-performing payroll and pension administration services.

• 3,000 Council employees
• 3,000 School employees
• 28,000 pension scheme members (active, deferred and pensioners)

You will be responsible for ensuring the effective administration of an annual Council payroll exceeding £170m, and overseeing the Lewisham Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) valued at approximately £1.85bn.

As a key member of the Finance Leadership Team, you will shape the strategic direction of payroll and pensions, ensuring services are efficient, compliant, customer-centred, and continuously improving.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for all payroll and pensions activity across Lewisham Council, schools, and associated employers.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and customer focus.
• Manage the development and delivery of payroll and pensions SLAs for schools and external employers.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee the integrity and development of the Oracle Cloud payroll system, the Altair pensions system, and associated legacy and archive systems.
• Ensure robust controls are in place to prevent fraud, error, and data loss.
• Maintain compliance with statutory, financial and LGPS regulatory requirements.
• Ensure effective service delivery to managers, employees and external partners, minimising overpayments and ensuring timely recovery where required.

Expert Advisory Role

• Serve as the Council's principal expert on payroll and pension legislation, including LGPS Regulations, Pensions Acts, Public Services Pensions Act, and the Data Protection Act.
• Interpret and implement complex legislative changes, advising senior leaders and updating policies and procedures accordingly.
• Lead on all payroll-related HMRC matters, including tax returns and responses to audits.

Pension Fund & Employer Management

• Act as strategic lead for engagement with external LGPS Fund Actuaries, including contract management and triennial valuations.
• Support and manage employer participation in the LGPS, including admitted and scheduled bodies.
• Oversee employer risk assessments, admission agreements, and the administration of employer responsibilities.
• Represent Lewisham Pensions at relevant boards, committees and external forums.

Governance, Compliance & Reporting

• Manage payroll and pension data for statutory reporting, year-end reconciliations and pension fund accounts.
• Lead on decisions and advice relating to early retirements, discretionary pension powers and compensation matters.
• Serve as the authorised signatory for payroll and pension payments.
• Provide leadership on internal dispute resolution and represent the Council at tribunals where required.

People Leadership

• Recruit, develop and support staff, ensuring the teams have the technical expertise required.
• Promote best practice and maintain strong professional networks.
• Ensure a culture of continuous improvement, inclusivity, and high performance.

About You

• Significant experience leading payroll and/or pension administration services at scale.
• Deep knowledge of LGPS legislation and local government pension administration.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire teams and drive service improvement.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex legislation.
• Experience managing large systems (e.g., Oracle Cloud, Altair) and ensuring data integrity.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills.

Why Lewisham Council?

Lewisham Council is committed to delivering high-quality, customer-focused services. You will join an organisation that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We offer:

• A supportive and inclusive working culture
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for professional development
• The chance to make a significant impact on vital public services

How to Apply

If you are a strategic, forward-thinking payroll and pensions professional looking for a rewarding leadership role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply now or call George Willett.