Payroll and Finance Officer
Payroll and Finance Officer
Salary: Grade 6 (£35,138-£41,521 with discretionary points to £45,353)
Contract type: Permanent, full time
Location: Balliol College, Oxford, OX1 3BJ
Department: Bursary
Reports to: College Accountant
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Whilst the normal working hours are 9am to 5.30 pm, work outside of these hours may occasionally be required.
Flexibility on core hours is possible and the postholder may be able to work from home one or two days a week once the probation period has passed, cover permitting.
Holiday: 6 weeks (30 days), plus Bank Holidays, during a complete holiday year, five of which are taken during the Christmas period when the College is closed.
Probation period: 12 months
Notice period: 1 month on either side (during probation) 3 months on either side (after probation)
Balliol College
Situated in an historic site in central Oxford, Balliol has been a hub of learning and community since its foundation in 1263. As one of the larger colleges within the University of Oxford, it is home to roughly 800 students, with undergraduates making up just under half of the student body. The College also employs over 80 Fellows, 50 lecturers, and about 180 support staff, with Dame Helen Ghosh as its current Master. Beyond its walls, Balliol has an active and engaged global community of over 8,000 alumni and donors.
Further information about the College is available at www.balliol.ox.ac.uk.
Purpose of the Post
The Payroll and Finance Officer will prepare and administer the monthly payroll for the College’s 250 permanent staff and varying number of casual workers, termly payroll for hourly paid tutors and provides support for more general financial duties, including staff expenses.
This role handles day-to-day payroll administration, data checks and employee queries whilst ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements. The Payroll and Finance Officer ensures that employees are paid accurately and in full compliance with relevant tax and reporting requirements. Full training can be provided for applicants with limited experience of payroll.
Job duties and responsibilities:
- Process the monthly and termly payroll, ensuring all pay elements are captured correctly
- Maintain and update payroll records, liaising with the HR department, including starters, leavers, salary changes, tax codes, student loans and pensions
- Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation (annual update training will be provided)
- Respond to employee payroll queries clearly and professionally
- Reconcile payroll reports, prepare information for month-end and year-end processes and liaise with the College’s external auditors
- Maintain confidentiality at all times
- Liaise with the department heads and the HR department to ensure that information provided is accurate
- Handle any payroll queries with clarity and discretion
- Administer pension and tax payments, liaising with pension providers and HMRC where necessary
- Process staff expenses, payments to HMRC, pension providers, travel pass schemes and related payments
- Assist with the preparation of the annual Gender Pay Gap Report
- Carrying out other finance-related duties as reasonably required
- Support colleagues during busy periods, annual leave or absence.
Person Specification – Skills & Experience
Essential
- 5 GCSEs A*-C/9-4 including Maths and English, or equivalent
- Competence in using MS Office (particularly Excel)
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong numerical and analytical skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Good organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines
- A good communicator with a professional manner
- Commitment to confidentiality, integrity and data compliance
Desirable
- Experience of working with SelectPay, Sage Pay or similar software, although full training will be provided
Employee Benefits
- Staff meals
A free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open. - Pension
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). This is a contributory pension scheme, with contributions from both the employee and the College. Further details are available here. - Travel
- Interest-free ticket loans enabling the purchase of bus passes and annual rail season tickets to Oxford. Discounted travel is available on some services.
- Cycle to work scheme offering discounted rates on bicycles and accessories.
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice - eligibility criteria apply).
- Health
- Free flu jabs and eye tests for computer/VDU users
- Free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool
- Preferential rates for other University sports facilities and the Nuffield Health gym on Woodstock Road.
- University Club
Free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni. - Learning and development
In addition to training organised by the College, resources are available from the University. - Visitor access
Free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University, the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums. - Employee discounts
Available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card. - Balliol nursery
A day-time nursery on Rawlinson Road, subject to availability. Subsidised rates are available for Balliol staff.
Application procedure
Informal enquiries
Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should in the first instance contact the College Accountant, Dalene Claassen (dalene.claassen@balliol.ox.ac.uk)
Written Applications
Applications should be made by midnight on Sunday 22nd February 2026 online at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers.
Interviews
Candidates selected for interview will be notified by Wednesday 25th February. First interviews will be held in the week commencing Monday 2nd March 2026. Second interviews will be held in the week commencing 9th March 2026.
Right to Work
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).
Equal Opportunities
Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants should let us know if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.
Data Protection
Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy
