Payroll Officer
Who we are
People First is an independent customer-led charitable organisation that has worked in Cumbria for 35 years. We are passionate about our values of equality, respect, and inclusion. We provide a wide range of support and information services across Cumbria, Lancashire, and Teesside, all aimed at helping people to live informed, respected, healthy, and fulfilled lives. Our Head office is based in Carlisle, supported by offices in Barrow and Lancashire.
The Department
Our newly rebranded UDirect Support service provides a Payroll & Managed Accounts Service to individuals who have chosen Direct Payment or Personal Health Budget to fund a package that best suits their individual care/support needs.
Our service provides:
- Ongoing Customer Support
- Package Cost/Budget Planning
- Managed Account Service
- Payroll Service
- Employer support
- Employee Training
Duties and Responsibilities of the Post
The role will include (but is not limited to):
- To register customers with HMRC as their agent, and to liaise with HMRC on customers’ behalf whenever necessary.
- To maintain all necessary payroll records, both computerised and manual, e.g. names and addresses, salary details, wage rates, etc., and to process all changes to customer’s payroll files, including starters, leavers, sickness and maternity leave and any other amendments to payroll and employer and employee as required.
- To use our payroll programme (Brightpay) to calculate payroll data from relevant time sheets, and other information submitted by customers, and to generate and provide customers with all necessary payroll information in time for payday.
- Processing end of year returns.
- To close down customer files efficiently when they leave the payroll service.
- To complete necessary documentation arising from payroll information requests, including from external agencies, e.g. Local Council, ICB, DWP, HMRC etc.
- To inform and advise customers on payroll matters and developments, and provide guidance on payroll regulations and systems, and legal changes.
- To produce invoices for work done and maintain a record of payments received, in co-operation with other members of the finance team where appropriate.
- To report anything untoward to your line manager.
- To exercise absolute integrity in respect of confidential matters, and to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information is always maintained.
- To maintain efficient administrative procedures.
- To be flexible in approach and assist with general office support and duties whenever necessary, workload permitting.
- To ensure all information is recorded accurately, in real time.
- To Signpost customers to external stakeholders and organisations.
- To liaise with stakeholders and attending meetings (internal & external) where required.
- To adhere to policies, procedures, and quality standards.
- To help promote the service, department and organisation
The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change in line with the demand, contractual obligations and needs of the service/organisation.
The Person
We would love to hear from you if you are a ‘people person’ who is able to work well with customers, our wider team and stakeholders, while maintaining the professional image of the department and wider organisation.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
It is advantageous for candidates to have:
- General understanding of Direct Payments and Personal Health Budgets
- Experience of working in the health and social care sector
- Previous payroll processing experience
It is Essential for candidates to have:
- IT Literate and fully competent with Microsoft Office programmes including Excel and the ability to learn and adapt to new systems and processes.
- The ability to listen, engage and communicate with a range of people including colleagues, customers and professionals via various methods of communication.
- GSCE or Equivalent Passes in Mathematics and English.
- A positive attitude to fast-paced and growing working environments
- Creativity, flexibility, and an enthusiastic approach
To Apply
If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.
To apply for this position, please email a copy of your CV (including two references) and a one-page cover letter to [email protected]
or alternatively, you can post for the attention of Barry to People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB
All applications should be clearly marked:
Confidential – UDirect Payroll Manager
To arrive no later than 5pm Friday 24th July 2026