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Exciting Payroll Opportunities at West Sussex County Council

Be part of a major transformation project!

West Sussex County Council is embarking on an ambitious systems‑implementation project, and as part of this journey they are recruiting a number of fantastic fixed‑term payroll roles (until January 2027). This is a rare opportunity to be right at the centre of a major modernisation programme that will reshape how payroll and HR services are delivered across the council.

These roles offer competitive salaries, a people‑centred and values‑driven culture, and the flexibility of hybrid working (1–2 days a week in the office), creating the ideal blend of stability, purpose and work‑life balance.

What makes these opportunities stand out is the chance to contribute to something genuinely transformative. Whether you're supporting payroll operations, developing specialist expertise or guiding a team through change, you’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive environment that puts trust, customer focus and continuous improvement at the heart of everything it does.

You’ll be joining services that thousands of council staff and school employees rely on every month, meaning your work has real community impact. And with the whole function moving through an exciting period of innovation and system change, you’ll gain experience that will stay with you throughout your career.

If you're looking for a role where your work matters, and where you can grow, contribute and be part of positive change, these fixed‑term payroll positions with West Sussex County Council are outstanding opportunities.

Vacancies

Key Documents

Payroll, Pensions and HR Administrator - Job Description Payroll Officer - Job Description Payroll Team Leader - Job Description

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Job details

Payroll Officer

Location: Chichester

Salary/Rate: £27-28,500 per annum

Type: Permanent

Closing Date:

Job Reference: 4770569

Payroll Officer, Chichester, Contract, Hybrid, £27-28,500 + Benefits

The Role
In this role, you’ll provide efficient, accurate and customer‑focused support across payroll and pensions services. You’ll manage a broad range of administrative and processing tasks, respond to customer enquiries, maintain essential records and contribute to the smooth delivery of specialist services. Working closely with the Team Leader, you’ll also handle more complex or technical matters, check the quality of work completed within the team and play an active role in improving processes and systems. This is a hybrid position working in the office 1 or 2 days per week.

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out
  • You’ll be at the heart of essential services.
    Your work will support schools and council employees, ensuring reliable payroll services that staff depend on every day.
  • You’ll join a culture built on strong values.
    Trust & Support, Customer Centred, Honest & Realistic— values that create a genuinely supportive and people‑focused workplace.
  • You’ll grow specialist expertise.
    You’ll be supported to deepen your technical knowledge in payroll and pensions and develop valuable subject matter skills.
  • You’ll work with collaborative, knowledgeable teams.
    You’ll contribute alongside HR & OD colleagues and technical specialists, with opportunities to learn, share expertise and make a real impact.

Your Impact
In this role, you’ll ensure accurate payroll processing, provide clear guidance to customers and help maintain the smooth running of payroll and pensions operations. You’ll use your technical understanding to resolve queries, support colleagues, monitor quality and suggest improvements. Through your work, payroll services will remain efficient, compliant and consistently customer‑centred.

About You
You’re someone who is detail‑focused, customer‑centred and confident working with technical information. You bring:
  • Prior knowledge of payroll and pensions— experience in processing and an understanding of relevant regulations.
  • Strong numeracy, accuracy and problem‑solving skills — able to work methodically, interpret information and make sound financial calculations.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication — skilled at explaining complex information clearly to colleagues, managers and customers.
  • Good IT capability — confident using Word, Excel and large payroll systems such as SAP or similar.
  • Effective planning and prioritisation — able to organise your workload and meet deadlines in a busy, high‑volume environment.
  • A commitment to continuous improvement — proactive in enhancing processes and supporting others to develop their understanding.
Above all, you’re committed to delivering an accurate, reliable and customer‑centred payroll service.

Why Join Us
  • Competitive package including pension scheme
  • Generous annual leave with options to purchase additional days
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Volunteering opportunities
  • Training, development, coaching and mentoring
  • Retail, leisure and gym discounts
  • Staff networks and recognition schemes
  • Health and wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme and optional health plans

- Charlotte Chambers

Contact: Charlotte Chambers

Office: 1st floor South, Telephone House, 18 Christchurch Rd

Phone: 0333 010 5714

Email: charlotte.chambers@hays.com

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