Login to Apply

Payroll Project Specialist
Rate: £148.88 PAYE
Contract Type: Fixed Term – up to 6 months (with potential extension)
Location: Essex (Hybrid Working)
Start Date: Mid-January 2026

Minerva Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of Essex County Council for two Payroll Project Specialists to support a key payroll transformation project on a fixed-term basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for experienced payroll professionals who enjoy detailed, project-based work and have a strong understanding of statutory payroll, pensions, and systems testing.

The Role
You will play a critical role in delivering enhancements to payroll processes, with a particular focus on absence and pension configurations, Teachers’ Pension MCR reporting, and LGPS reporting within the payroll system. The role requires a high level of accuracy, investigative capability, and confidence working with complex payroll data.

Key Responsibilities
Review, update, and test payroll elements in collaboration with the software provider
Carry out detailed testing of payroll entry and employee self-service functionality
Configure and test statutory and occupational absence payments to ensure accuracy and HMRC compliance
Support improvements to Teachers’ Pension reporting, including service, salary, and contribution data
Assist with the transition to automated LGPS reporting by reviewing, configuring, and testing monthly processes
Participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT), providing clear, structured, and detailed feedbackWhat We’re Looking For
Extensive experience in payroll with strong attention to detail
Proven ability to manually calculate PAYE and National Insurance
Solid knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including statutory absence and payments
Experience working with Local Government and/or Teachers’ Pensions (including assumed pensionable pay and deduction tiers) – highly desirable
Confidence working in UAT environments and supporting system enhancements
Experience using Oracle Fusion payroll systems
A proactive, analytical approach with strong problem-solving skillsWhy Apply?
Competitive daily rates
Hybrid working arrangement
Opportunity to work on a high-impact payroll improvement project
Potential contract extension
To apply or for further information, please contact Minerva Recruitment. We welcome applications from experienced payroll professionals seeking a challenging and rewarding project role