About the job

Job summary

Thank you for taking the time to read about our role with the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD). We are a non-ministerial department, which provides actuarial solutions including financial risk analysis, modelling and advice to support the UK public sector. GAD’s mission is to improve the stewardship of public sector finances by supporting effective decision-making, robust financial reporting through actuarial analysis, modelling and advice.

This role will be managing and overseeing the outsourced payroll service ensuring it is accurate, timely, and complies with internal HR controls, statutory requirements & financial regulations. Working closely with Finance, Civil Service Pensions, auditors and other Civil Service departments. A secondary but just as important key focus for this role is the management of HR systems, oversight of HR information, data management and reporting.

This is a hands-on role where you will be expected to manage and oversee an outsourced payroll service for just over 200 employees, alongside managing the HR System, and providing HR Information and reporting.

We are looking for an individual who is comfortable working in an environment with a variety of departments and key stakeholders, have a can-do attitude, a passion for the HR profession, and strong team focused work ethic. By joining the team, you will actively seek to add value, in return, you will be given every opportunity to develop & progress your career.

About the Team

We have recently gone through some changes in the team, so, it’s an exciting time for us at the Government Actuary's Department right now, and it’s a great time to be joining us, with many new projects in the pipeline.

Our team have a growth mind-set, and a strong team focused work ethic - we work together and take great pride in what we do. Never afraid to think differently, and to develop new and bold ways to provide our services, we also provide healthy challenge and encourage each other to achieve the best outcomes. So, if these are all qualities that you see in yourself, then we would welcome you joining the team.

You can find out more about GAD and the work that our Actuary's do in the following recruitment pack and YouTube video:

• GAD Actuary Recruitment Pack - July 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Actuaries in government - YouTube

Job description

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the payroll, HR System oversight, and responsible for producing management information for the organisation. The role includes:

• Managing and overseeing the outsourced payroll service ensuring it is accurate, timely, to agreed deadlines, and complies with internal HR controls, statutory requirements & financial regulations.
• Working closely with Finance, Civil Service Pensions, auditors and other Civil Service departments.
• A secondary but just as important key focus for this role is the management of HR systems, oversight of HR information, data management and reporting.
• The HR team is small, and operates within a matrix framework, requiring a flexible approach by all team members to ensure adequate cover and take on tasks and responsibilities which may change over time to meet GAD’s business objectives.

Person specification

Payroll & Benefits

Oversee the timely and accurate operation of GAD’s payroll, pensions and benefits administration including:

• Reconcile reports from the payroll provider & address any potential errors directly with them, prior to final sign-off by senior management.
• Research and verify data in respect of pension queries.
• Manage the administration of the benefits schemes currently in place including cycle to work, discount vouchers, travel season ticket loans, etc, liaising with providers as appropriate.
• Ensuring all payroll input and checks are complete before submitting for approval
• Leading on the interface with HR payroll and benefits providers.
• Supporting financial modelling and preparation of the annual pay remit submission, and co-ordinating implementation of any changes arising from the annual salary review.
• Develop and regularly review guidance documents and keep end to end processes under review to identify, design and implement improvements to efficiency and accuracy.
• Keep up to date with regulations, inform stakeholders of changes when relevant and respond accordingly.

HR Systems 

The lead on HR Information Systems in GAD (HR/employee management system, payroll & benefits platform), oversee the effective management & maintenance of HR systems, including:

• Ensuring HR Information Systems are customer-focused and driven by user needs and providing timely responses to user queries.
• Act as the subject matter expert (SME) in using/reporting from the HR system in order to produce reports for internal and external audits, regular management reports/KPIs and analysis of headcount, absence, workforce profile statistics, etc. Analyse the results and highlight any areas for concern or errors and format the results, whilst being mindful of the Data Protection policy and principles.

Personal Responsibility

• To work in partnership with the whole of the HR team to deliver joined up working in delivery of a comprehensive HR service.
• Take forward own development and network as appropriate with HR professionals in other organisations.

Please refer to the JD attached for more information about the role, the person specification requirements, and the assessment criteria.

Benefits

As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:

• 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition, 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time colleagues)
• Hybrid working – GAD expects colleagues in the office 60% of the time. We would expect you in either our Canary Wharf or Edinburgh office, at least two / three days a week, dependent on operational requirements and typically the other days at home.
• Pension -An average employer pension contribution of 27% per year.
• Professional Fees – you can claim back the cost of professional fees associated with your role.
• Extensive talent, career and personal development, with up to ten days a year, being used for Continuing Professional Development.
• Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Complimentary BUPA health check for permanent colleagues
• Community volunteering programme, the opportunity to join a trade union, access to Edenred discounts, some examples include, 5% off supermarkets, and up to 40% off gym memberships and social groups
• Salary advances for travel costs, including season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills.

Expected Timeline
Advert closes: Sunday 7 January 2024 at 23:55 hrs
Sift: Expected to take place W/C Monday 8 January
Final panel interview: TBC
Interview location: Interviews will be held in person in our Canary Wharf Office - London, E14 4PU.

The recruitment process consists of one interview before the final decision is made. If required, a further second interview may be conducted.

Please apply via our recruitment portal below.

As part of the application form process, please submit your CV and supporting statement. Please do not email your CV outside of this process as it will not be accepted.

Shortlisting criteria is based on the Person Specification as set out in the Assessment Criteria section of the Job Description. Please ensure you provide examples of how you meet the Assessment Criteria; a strong application will also demonstrate that you meet the required criteria that are identified as key for this role. Applications will be shortlisted in line with the essential criteria for the role. Behaviours will be assessed at interview stage. Candidates who are successful at shortlist will be contacted as soon as possible and advised of the interview process and assessment (exact times and dates will also be confirmed).

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.