Happy Days Nurseries are seeking a Payroll Partner to join our People Team!

The role can be offered on a Hybrid or Remote working capacity, depending on residing location.

About Us

Happy Days Nurseries is dedicated to providing exceptional childcare and early education in a nurturing and stimulating environment. We believe in fostering a happy and supportive workplace for our colleagues, ensuring they can deliver the best care to our children. Happy Days is recruiting a Payroll Partner to support our payroll function. This role offers the flexibility of remote working or the opportunity to be based at our Summercourt Office in Newquay.

Job Overview

Working with our Payroll Lead, we are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Payroll Partner to join our People Team. In this role, you will act as the key liaison between the payroll function, the wider People Team, and our nurseries, ensuring seamless payroll processing while driving best practices in line with company policies and legislative requirements. This role is crucial in maintaining the financial well-being of our staff and supporting the overall operations of our nurseries.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Management:

• Process payrolls for all employees accurately and on time.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
• Accurately set up new starters on the payroll information system.
• Maintain records of, and generate reports on, absences such as sickness and holidays.

· Liaise with Nursery Managers regarding missing and/or inaccurate information and ensure timely completion of required tasks.

• Handle payroll queries and provide support to employees regarding payroll matters.
• Collaborate with people team colleagues and finance teams to ensure seamless payroll operations.
• Prepare and submit payroll reports.
• Stay updated on payroll legislation and regulations to ensure compliance.

Collaboration with the People Team:

• Work closely with People Partners and Services Team to ensure payroll data aligns with employment contracts, policies, and procedures.
• Support People Team initiatives such as salary benchmarking, pay reviews, and benefit changes.

Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure payroll processes align with HMRC regulations, employment law, and company policies.
• Support year-end payroll processes, including P11D submissions reporting.
• Maintain accurate payroll records for audit and reporting purposes.

Process Improvement & Projects:

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and systems.
• Support system upgrades, integrations, and data migration projects.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in payroll processing and management, ideally partnering with a People team.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, NIC, SSP, SMP, SAP, and pension regulations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll software and systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll matters clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable Skills

• CIPP qualification or working towards one.
• Experience supporting system implementations or process improvement projects.
• Knowledge of TUPE regulations and experience managing payroll during acquisitions.

Rewards & Benefits

• Working hours of 30-35 per week
• Full Time Equivalent Salary of £30,000 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Continuing professional development opportunities.
• 50% discounted childcare.
• Closure between Christmas/New Year and each Bank Holiday in addition to annual leave allowance.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (pro rata).
• Auto-enrolment pension contributions (People’s Pension).

Happy Days Nurseries are committed to the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care. The successful post holder will be required to undergo a robust vetting process, including an enhanced DBS Check and Reference History Checks.