Job Description
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Trust Payroll and Contracts Manager
Scale 11 - £39,862 to £44,075
37 hours per week
Where Precision Meets Purpose
What if your payroll expertise didn't just keep systems running - but helped schools thrive?
We are looking for an exceptionalTrust Payroll & Contracts Managerto lead our payroll and pensions function across the Trust. This is a pivotal role for someone who enjoys complexity, values accuracy, and wants their work to make a real difference to the lives of staff.
This isn't a routine payroll role. It's strategic, people‑focused, and influential - with the opportunity to shape systems, advise senior leaders, and lead a dedicated payroll team that supports schools to focus on what matters most: education.
About the role
As Trust Payroll & Contracts Manager, you will:
Lead and develop the Trust's payroll and pensions service, ensuring it is accurate, compliant and timely
Act as the Trust's expert on payroll, pensions and contractual matters, providing clear, confident advice to colleagues and senior leaders
Oversee monthly payroll for a large, complex workforce, including pensions, statutory returns and year‑end activity
Line manage and develop payroll staff, creating a supportive and high‑performing team
Work closely with HR and Finance colleagues to improve systems, reporting and processes
Anticipate and implement changes in legislation, ensuring the Trust remains compliant and well‑informed
Translate complex regulations into clear, sensitive advice for staff and schools
You will report to theDirector of Peopleand work closely with the CEO, CFO and school leaders, giving you genuine visibility and influence.
Who we are looking for
You'll be someone who:
Hassignificant experience in payroll (preferably Edupay) and pensions, ideally in a large or complex organisation
Holds (or is working towards) arecognised payroll, pensions or finance qualification(e.g. CIPP)
Has strong knowledge of payroll legislation, PAYE, HMRC and pension schemes
Is confident managing deadlines, detail and competing priorities
Enjoys supporting others, explaining complex information clearly and tactfully
Takes pride in delivering an excellent service and getting things right first time
Experience ofTeachers' Pension Scheme (TPS)and/orLGPSis desirable, but your ability to learn, adapt and lead is just as important.
Why join us?
A role withreal impactacross schools and central services
The chance toshape and improve systems, not just run them
A Trust that values professionalism, collaboration and development
Supportive senior leadership and strong cross‑team working
A people‑centred organisation committed to staff wellbeing and development
We are proud to be a Trust where expertise is valued, voices are heard, and continuous improvement is encouraged.
If you're a payroll professional who wants challenge, influence and purpose, we would love to hear from you.
The Chelmsford Learning Partnership is committed within its schools to:
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety, and the spiritual and cultural development of children and young people;
Promoting equality of opportunity and community cohesion where the diversity of different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued;
The fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers to share in this commitment.
As an equal opportunities employer, The Chelmsford Learning Partnership is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join The Chelmsford Learning Partnership.
In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on an application form, CVs will not be accepted. This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references. The Chelmsford Learning Partnership is an equal opportunities employer.
Information about the School
The Chelmsford Learning Partnership (CLP) is an emerging multi-academy trust based in Springfield, Chelmsford. The trust was formerly known as The Boswells Academy Trust but changed name in late 2017 to reflect the growth of the trust beyond one school. There are currently 8 schools across Essex in the CLP multi academy trust.
The schools in the CLP are: Barnes Farm Primary School, Lakelands Primary School, Perryfields Infant School, Roding Valley High School, The Beaulieu Park School, The Boswells School, The Tyrrells Primary School and William de Ferrers School.
The Chelmsford Learning Partnership is committed within its schools to:
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety, and the spiritual and cultural development of children and young people;
• Promoting equality of opportunity and community cohesion where the diversity of different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued;
• The fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs
and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers to share in this commitment.
In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on an application form, CVs will not be accepted. This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references. The Chelmsford Learning Partnership is an equal opportunities employer