About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join our Payroll Services team and support the accurate, timely delivery of weekly and monthly payrolls across the Trust.
This role is suited to someone with hands-on payroll experience who can work confidently and independently, applying NHS terms and conditions and statutory payroll regulations with minimal guidance. The successful candidate will play an active role from day one, helping to maintain service continuity and support colleagues through effective, reliable payroll processing.
Due to current service pressures, this post is not suitable for candidates seeking a training or entry-level payroll role. Applicants must be able to demonstrate recent, practical experience working in a payroll environment.
We value work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, including up to 50% home working, alongside a collaborative and supportive office culture. Teamwork, professionalism and a strong customer focus are central to how we work.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will:
Process payroll data accurately and efficiently within set deadlines.
Apply statutory rules for tax, National Insurance, sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption payments.
Validate documentation, check outputs and maintain accurate payroll records.
Respond to staff and manager enquiries, offering clear and supportive advice.
Process previous service enquiries, contract checks and absence updates.
Support the distribution of payslips and payroll documentation.
Assist in training new colleagues and contribute to continuous improvement.
Ensure all work complies with Trust processes and statutory guidelines.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular position.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on the 16th May 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on the May 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
IPPM Foundation Level or NVQ level 3 in Payroll Administration or Equivalent Experience.
Desirable
Ongoing payroll or pensions related professional development
Additional Requirements Essential
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Experience Essential
Recent, hands on experience working in a payroll environment Practical experience of using a computerised integrated HR and Payroll System Experience processing weekly and/or monthly payrolls to strict deadlines Ability to manage own payroll workload independently to meet deadlines Experience validating payroll data, checking outputs and resolving discrepancies Experience of IT packages - Microsoft office Experience applying payroll legislation including PAYE, National Insurance and statutory payments
Desirable
NHS payroll experience Experience of ESR Payroll System Experience dealing directly with HMRC or other external bodies Experience applying NHS Terms and Conditions
Knowledge Essential
Working knowledge of payroll confidentiality and data protection requirements Understanding of the importance of accuracy and audit compliance in payroll processing Understanding of customer service Working knowledge of payroll legislation including PAYE, NI, SSP and statutory family leave payments
Desirable
Knowledge of NHS pay structures and NHS Pension Scheme regulations
Skills Essential
Ability to work as part of a team Effective communication skills when responding to payroll queries from staff and managers Ability to handle payroll queries professionally and sensitively Ability to work independently with minimal supervision Ability to prioritise workload and meet conflicting deadlines Ability to work accurately with a high level of attention to detail Ability to adapt to change Ability to store and safeguard confidential documents
Desirable
Experience supporting service improvement or process change within a payroll function
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Campbell House
Maris Lane
Trumpington
CB2 9FF
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)