Job Description

Learning Academy Partnership

Payroll & Pensions Lead

Permanent

37 hours per week, Full Time

NJC Grade F (Torbay) - 27,711 - 30,559 per annum

Flexible Start Dates Available

The Learning Academy Partnership has an exciting opportunity for a Payroll and Pensions Lead to join our exceptional, friendly, and professional Business Support Team, based in Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot.

We are at an incredibly exciting time in our development as a growing School Trust, and this role offers a real sense of personal fulfilment. Working closely with the Operational Finance Lead, as Payroll and Pensions Lead, you'll be part of a dedicated team working to make a profound difference to the lives of our children. Our mission is to enable Flourishing Futures for all our children by working together as a values-led family of exceptional academies, delivering an entitlement to an outstanding education across all our local communities.

Payroll might not always be in the spotlight, but it's one of the most crucial roles in any organisation. As our Payroll Lead, you'll be the person behind the scenes ensuring our dedicated colleagues are paid accurately and on time, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional education to our children. This is more than just a job - it's a chance to be part of a team that plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of our Trust which will ultimately have a direct impact on our children.

We're looking for someone with energy, precision, and a passion for getting things right. You'll thrive in a fast-paced environment, delivering high-quality payroll and pension services that support our incredible colleagues across the Trust. With a solid understanding of payroll, pensions, and financial processes, you'll be proactive, highly organised, and always looking for ways to improve and innovate. Experience in education is a bonus, but what really matters is your drive, attention to detail, and strong IT skills - especially when it comes to using technology to streamline systems and boost efficiency.

As a Trust, we are proud to be a single organisation where professional growth is supported and celebrated, and this role offers genuine opportunities to develop your skills and grow within a dynamic team. If you have a strong willingness to learn, a commitment to personal and professional development, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you!

The role will include:

Managing the end-to-end payroll process across the Trust

Being the go-to expert for payroll queries, offering clear, friendly, and timely support to colleagues so they can focus on delivering exceptional education

Collaborating closely with HR and Finance teams to ensure seamless processing of new starters, leavers, and contract changes

Identifying opportunities to streamline and enhance payroll processes, using digital tools and smart thinking to drive efficiencies and reduce manual workloads

Administer and maintain pension contributions for both the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submissions

We are committed to supporting the life balance of our colleagues and would be happy to discuss flexible working opportunities and what flexible working looks like for you. We're on a journey to become the BEST employer - creating a culture where all colleagues feel valued and able to flourish.

We can offer you:

An impactful People Strategy that enables us to nurture, develop and support our colleagues so that they can provide the very best for our children

A culture that takes life balance extremely seriously for all its colleagues

The chance to work as part of a collective in a values-led school Trust, a single organisation

High quality professional development and regular training

Access to nationally recognised apprenticeships

The potential for future career development

Wellness resources including access to a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme

Trust benefit schemes including tech and cycle schemes

Generous Local Government Pension Scheme

Our School Trust is underpinned by our four core beliefs;

we are stronger together, a sense of belonging; removing barriers and realising the possible. We want to support you in deciding if we are a School Trust that you would like to join. We strongly recommend that you arrange a visit or virtual call so that you can better understand if we are an organisation which excites you and can support you to flourish. Please contact djones@lapsw.org or call 01626 248800 to arrange an appointment. For further details and to apply, please refer to the vacancies section of the Trust websitewww.lapsw.co.uk

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equitable process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/
https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/

The closing date for this post is

Thursday 7th August 2025

(9am)

, with interviews schedules to take place on

Monday 11th August 2025

, however, please feel free to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be considered upon receipt. We reserve the right to interview / appoint before the closing date.

The Learning Academy Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS disclosures are required for this post along with the other necessary checks. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 27,771.00-30,559.00 per year

Benefits:

Free flu jabs Health & wellbeing programme
Schedule:

Monday to Friday No weekends
Work Location: In person