Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Payroll Administrator

The closing date is 08 April 2026

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Payroll Administrator to join the Payroll team at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. In this role, you will support the accurate and timely processing of payroll, ensuring staff are paid correctly and in line with NHS Terms and Conditions, legislation and Trust policies.

You will maintain payroll records, input routine pay changes into the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system, and assist with resolving straightforward payroll queries. Working under the supervision of senior colleagues, you will organise your workload to meet weekly, monthly and annual deadlines while delivering a high standard of customer service.

This role is ideal for someone with strong administrative skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

What We Offer

  • Access to the NHS pension scheme with 23.78% employer contribution
  • Annual leave starting at 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with service
  • Access to a range of staff benefits, including lease car, electronics and cycle-to-work schemes

Main duties of the job

Process weekly and monthly payroll updates, including starters, leavers, pay adjustments, deductions and bank staff changes. Ensure all transactions are authorised, accurately documented and compliant with Trust policies. Maintain and update payroll records, supporting data accuracy and following standard procedures.

Assist with payroll checking processes, reviewing reports and highlighting discrepancies to senior staff. Issue employee notification letters and statutory documents such as SSP, SMP and no-pay/half-pay letters. Respond to routine payroll queries by phone, email or in person, providing clear explanations and escalating complex or sensitive issues--such as pay errors or overpayments--when required.

Analyse payslips and payroll data to identify and resolve discrepancies. Handle requests for employee information, including statements of earnings, mortgage, tenancy or visa references, ensuring all responses comply with GDPR. Complete HMRC-related tasks, including uploading and reviewing EDI files. Request previous service and absence data via the Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process and ensure pension enrolment details are correct for new starters and changes.

Raise payments from cheque reports when needed. Maintain confidentiality and adhere to Trust Information Governance standards. Carry out additional duties relevant to the role and support continuous improvement within the department.

About us

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) serves Birmingham and the Black Country - one of the country's most culturally diverse areas. It's a friendly and welcoming place - a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow.

We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.

Our values - Ambition, Respect and Compassion - are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.

Our Trust has always aspired to be more than a hospital, more than a healthcare provider. Our purpose is to "Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population." It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It's what makes us unique.

We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose.When we say we're 'with you all the way' we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.

Details

Date posted

25 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

381-CO-7871901

Job locations

Sandwell Health Campus

Lyndon

West Bromwich

B71 4HJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for details on the main duties and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for details on the main duties and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working in a finance, HR, or payroll admin role

Desirable

  • NHS or public sector payroll experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE qualifications including Mathematics and English in Grades A-C (4-9)
  • NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration / Payroll or equivalent experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic understanding of payroll processes and statutory deductions (e.g. tax, NI, pension)

Desirable

  • Awareness of NHS Terms and Conditions (Agenda for Change)
  • Experience using Electronic Staff Record (ESR) or similar payroll/HR system

Communication

Essential

  • Ability to respond and liaise with Manager, team and employees via email, phone and in person visits
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working in a finance, HR, or payroll admin role

Desirable

  • NHS or public sector payroll experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE qualifications including Mathematics and English in Grades A-C (4-9)
  • NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration / Payroll or equivalent experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic understanding of payroll processes and statutory deductions (e.g. tax, NI, pension)

Desirable

  • Awareness of NHS Terms and Conditions (Agenda for Change)
  • Experience using Electronic Staff Record (ESR) or similar payroll/HR system

Communication

Essential

  • Ability to respond and liaise with Manager, team and employees via email, phone and in person visits

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Address

Sandwell Health Campus

Lyndon

West Bromwich

B71 4HJ


Employer's website

https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Address

Sandwell Health Campus

Lyndon

West Bromwich

B71 4HJ


Employer's website

https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Group Head of Payroll Services

Marie Hartshorne

marie.hartshorne1@nhs.net

07483425205

Details

Date posted

25 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

381-CO-7871901

Job locations

Sandwell Health Campus

Lyndon

West Bromwich

B71 4HJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)