Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
HR and Payroll
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
358-7706232-COR
Employer
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
County Hall
Town
Glenfield, Leicester
Salary
£76,965 - £88,682 Per annum/ pro rota for part time hours
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
22/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust logo

Head of Pay & Employment Services Hub

NHS AfC: Band 8c

AI tools like chatbots and virtual assistants can support you as you complete your application. For example, they can check for spelling or grammar errors, or help you to decide what to include.

But they shouldn’t replace your own responses or be used to write the application for you.

Relying too much on AI can negatively impact your chances of success, because automatically generated answers:

  • might not be specific or relevant enough to address the criteria in the recruitment profile
  • often seem generic and not personalised enough – an AI response won’t show your unique voice and perspective
  • could misrepresent information about you, such as your qualifications, skills and experience

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.

Job overview

Are you ready to lead the transformation of employment services in one of the UK’s largest NHS Trusts? We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to head our integrated Employment Services Hub, driving innovation and excellence in pay, pensions, and benefits for our diverse workforce.
 

We are looking for someone who:

  • Holds an IPPM Diploma or equivalent postgraduate qualification, with advanced theoretical knowledge of payroll.
  • Has extensive, up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation, HR best practice, and proven experience managing payroll services.
  • Demonstrates excellent communication, leadership, and change management skills.
  • Is adept at contract management, analysis of complex data, and problem-solving.
  • Shows commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
  • Is robust, adaptable, and able to manage a demanding workload with competing priorities.

Main duties of the job

As the Head of Pay & Employment Services Hub, you will:

  • Lead the transition to a modern, technology-driven Employment Services Hub, ensuring efficient, customer-focused service delivery.
  • Provide strategic direction and leadership to Operational People Services and Pay Services, maximizing efficiency and performance.
  • Manage a significant budget and oversee multiple contracts, including external payroll, expenses, and benefits providers.
  • Develop and implement policies, service improvements, and business cases for future investment.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, NHS policies, and audit standards.
  • Act as the Trust’s expert on pay, pensions, and benefits, providing guidance and assurance on best practices and regulations.
  • Foster a team-based culture focused on professionalism, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.
 

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals: 

  • high-quality care for all, 
  • being a great place to work, 
  • partnerships for impact, and 
  • research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

  • we are compassionate,
  • we are proud, 
  • we are inclusive, and 
  • we are one team 

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification for full details and for more information please contact:-
 
Charlotte Whyman, Associate Director- Operational People Services on
07950862687
 

 

Person specification

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • IPPM Diploma or post grad diploma level of equivalent experience
  • Advanced theoretical knowledge of payroll acquired through qualification or experience

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Have extensive up to date knowledge of employment legislation, terms and conditions of employment and HR best practice
  • Proven experience of managing and delivering a payroll service
  • Contract Management experience
Desirable criteria
  • Contract management of an external payroll provider

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills, to be able to communicate at all levels with a professional and non - bias manner, and be able to liaise, advise and interact as appropriate, with staff at all levels within and external to the Trust
  • Proven ability to develop professional working relationships with all stakeholders
  • Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate a team, along with the ability to apply change management
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Ability to deal with people in complex, confrontational and highly emotive situations and gain engagement in a resistant environment
  • Ability to build consensus amongst varied and challenging stakeholder groups
  • Demonstrate the capability to motivate collaboration

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to deal with highly complex organisational issues and make recommendations
  • Ability to complete analysis of complex data/reports/legislation effectively despite frequent interruptions needing immediate attention
  • Us initiative and analysis of data to inform decision making
  • Problem solving and creative thinking skills with the ability to explain things in a clear and concise way
  • Ability to deal with ambiguity and respond confidently with matters that do not fall within previous experience/remit

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Advanced keyboard skills
  • Ability to write and present committee papers
  • Attention to detail and accuracy

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria
  • Formulate and adjust plans or strategies to ensure deliverance due to the broad range of complex activities and ongoing work programmes
  • Ability to plan over short and long term timescales and tolerate high levels of uncertainty
  • Robust, with the ability to balance priorities and meet personal and departmental targets with a fluctuating and demanding workload
  • Ability to work to tight deadlines and to manage a large number of conflicting and frequently changing priorities
  • Ability to develop new ways of working using planning, facilitation, collaboration and capacity planning and continuous improvement skills

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
  • All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential criteria
  • On site presence Ability to travel to different sites

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoCare quality commission - Goodhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Charlotte Whyman
Job title
Associate Director -Operational People Services
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07950862687
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies