Norfolk County Council (NCC) are looking for a motivated and detail-focused individual to join our supportive Payroll team within Finance Exchequer Services as a Payroll Lead (Apprentice). This is an excellent development opportunity to build the knowledge and experience required to progress into a Payroll Lead role.

In this role, you will support the day-to-day operations of the Payroll Team, helping to ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery. You will process payroll data, carry out calculations, resolve queries, and maintain records using the Oracle Cloud payroll system.

As your experience develops, you will take on increasing responsibility, including helping to lead a team of Payroll Officers and Assistants, supporting the resolution of complex queries and complaints, and providing guidance and mentoring to colleagues. You will also contribute to data quality, compliance monitoring, and continuous improvement of payroll processes.

This role requires developing a strong understanding of payroll legislation, including HMRC tax, National Insurance, and pension regulations. You will undertake a Level 5 Assistant Payroll Manager apprenticeship, gaining structured learning alongside practical experience. The role will initially align to Scale G responsibilities, with progression to Scale H (Payroll Lead) as your competence, confidence and leadership capability grow.

We are looking for someone with strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work to deadlines while delivering a high standard of customer service. An interest in developing leadership skills and managing a team is essential.

This role is currently hybrid working, with an expectation to attend the office one day per week.

If this sounds like your next challenge, apply now.

For an informal chat, please contact Heather Pettifer – Payroll Manager on heather.pettifer@norfolk.gov.uk

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

Competitive salary
Generous holiday entitlement
Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
Financial benefits such as:
- ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
- A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions
- Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
- Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
- A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the fullJob description and person specificationto help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditionshere.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 29 June 2026 23:59

All other applicants closing date: 6 July 2026 23:59

Norfolk County Council

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Payroll Lead (Apprentice)