Payroll Services Lead

We are welcoming applications for the role of Payroll Services Lead with Dorset Police based at the following location(s): Police Headquarters, Exeter, Police Headquarters, Winfrith, Dorset  

Salary: Scale G - Starts at £40,383 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £44,700 per annum 
Please note that the above salary is based on working 37 hours per week. If this role is part-time or you are appointed on a part-time basis your salary will be prorated to reflect this. Exceptions to starting salary may apply if you are an existing Devon & Cornwall or Dorset Police Staff employee substantively posted to a role at the same Scale.

Type of employment: Permanent 

Type of working arrangement: Hybrid Worker -  Hybrid working is a form of flexible working where workers spend some of their time working remotely (usually, but not necessarily, from home) and some in the employer's workspace.
Hours per week: this role is 37 hours per week. However, we welcome applications from individuals wishing to work on a part-time basis and we are willing to consider flexible working patterns subject to business need.
Details about the hybrid working This is subject to change as per business requirements: Office attendance minimum 1 day per week subject to change as per business requirements
Allowances: This role attracts no allowances.

Join our Payroll Department, a team of 20 professionals delivering payroll services across Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. Based at either our Exeter or Winfrith headquarters, this hybrid role offers flexible home working alongside the opportunity to work with colleagues across both locations. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a supportive and professional team that provides an essential service to two police forces.

As Payroll Services Lead, you will manage payroll processes and service delivery, leading and supporting the payroll team to ensure a high-quality, accurate and efficient service. Working closely with the Payroll & Pension Data Analyst, you will help maintain data accuracy and consistency, while supporting the Payroll & Pensions Manager and Head of Payroll & Pensions in delivering a comprehensive payroll service. You will ensure compliance with service level agreements, statutory requirements and established policies and procedures.

About you:

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience in a payroll environment and a recognised payroll or financial qualification, such as CIPP or an equivalent relevant qualification. You will have proven experience of leading or supervising a team, with the ability to prioritise work, delegate effectively and respond to changing demands while meeting deadlines. Strong IT skills are essential, including experience of computerised payroll or financial systems.

You will be a confident communicator who can build positive working relationships at all levels, providing excellent customer service while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality. Alongside this, you will bring strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess needs, identify practical solutions and make informed decisions within established policies and guidelines. If you are an organised, collaborative and customer-focused payroll professional looking to make a meaningful contribution, we would love to hear from you.

Want to know more about this role?

Further detail regarding this role and the essential requirements can be found within the job description attached below.

If you think this may be the role for you and would like further information, please contact: 

Hiring Line Manager: Michaela LANGLEY - Payroll and Pensions Manager 

Email Address: michaela.langley@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk 

Telephone Number: N/A 

What you get if you join us:

If you work for us, you will get access to:

  • A competitive salary with yearly increments.
  • Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
  • Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one-off payment of £5).
  • Company sick pay.
  • Competitive local government pension scheme.
  • Job related equipment supplied, as required.
  • Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
  • Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
  • Support networks, free Employees' Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
  • Development and training opportunities available.
  • Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
  • Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
  • Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).

Annual Leave Entitlement:

25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees).

Competency and Values Framework (CVF)
Level 2: click this link for details of the CVF level for this specific role.

Additional Information

Political Restrictions: None apply to this role.

Recruitment Process

Application Stage:

To apply for this role, click the 'apply' button below, you will then be taken to a registration page. Please complete this registration form to create an account, once created you will be taken to the application. 

Already have an account? If you have previously created an account, please click 'login' at the bottom of the page next to the 'submit registration' button. Once logged in, you will be taken to the application. 

Once registered, you will have to complete an eligibility form to apply. If eligible, you will move to the application form stage where you will evidence your suitability for this post. The closing date for applications is 14/09/2026, 12:00.

Selection Stage: 

The selection for this role will consist of Shortlisting, Interview.

Applications will be anonymised and then shortlisted by the shortlisting panel.  Following the shortlisting you will be notified of the recruitment decision via email along with feedback on your application. 

If successful, you will then be invited to an interview. This will be based on the Competency Values Framework at Level 1, 2 or 3 as detailed in the role profile/job description and additional CVF document.

The interview process is due to take place week commencing 21 September 2026  .

Some roles may also require an assessment. Further information on this will be provided following the shortlisting process. The assessment date will be   if applicable.

Pre-requisites:

If you are successful through the selection stage of the recruitment process, we will make a conditional offer of appointment and commence pre-requisite checks. These checks can include: 

  • Vetting checks,
  • Reference checks,
  • Medical assessment,
  • Qualification review,
  • Right to Work checks.

A formal offer of appointment and start date will not be agreed until all checks are satisfactorily completed. If you are successful at the selection stage your conditional offer will outline which of these checks are applicable to you. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The application form may time out if left inactive for a period of 60 minutes. To avoid losing unsaved data, please click to save the page you are working on if you need to pause and return to it later.

If the role has evidence questions you are required to complete in the application form, you may wish to complete these remotely and then paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission. Please note, each evidence criterion is set to a maximum of 2500 characters. 

We welcome the use of AI responsibly and ethically to demonstrate your skills in your application, but please don’t allow it to overshadow your own unique voice. While we appreciate innovative approaches, we also value authenticity. Our assessment considers the content of the application and the skills you demonstrate, ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all applicants. At the end of the day – we want YOU to work for us!

This opportunity is closed to applications.