Senior Payroll Officer jobs

Senior Payroll Analyst - Operations

5 permanent positions available

On 1 April 2026, NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) became one national organisation, focused on continuity today and a stronger, more connected service for tomorrow.

As part of this transformation, NSS and NES have joined to form a new organisation: Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland). This new organisation will play a pivotal role in supporting the renewal and ensuring the long-term sustainability of health and care services across Scotland.

About the Organisation:
PSD Scotland unites expertise from NES and NSS in a way that will allow us to accelerate national programmes to support the NHS to deliver better care, now and in the future.

We support staff with education and training, provide the tools and data that improve services, and run vital national functions such as procurement, logistics and blood, tissue and cell services.

The Post:
This post sits within Payroll Services, part of the finance, Corporate Governance and legal Services directorate, and plays a pivotal role in the delivery of a high-quality, fully managed payroll service across multiple NHS Scotland Boards. Payroll Services supports approximately 80,000 staff across eight Health Boards, managing a paybill in excess on £2.5 billion on a shared service basis.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Payroll Analyst (Operations) to join our experienced payroll team. Working within a complex and fast-paced environment, you will be responsible for interpreting, processing and quality-checking complex payroll, expenses and pension transactions, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time in line with NHS terms and conditions, statutory legislation and local policies. You will provide expert payroll advice to managers, HR colleagues and employees, resolve complex and sensitive queries, support the delivery of robust financial and audit controls, and play an active role in coaching, mentoring and developing Payroll Assistants. You will also contribute to service improvement initiatives and help ensure the ongoing delivery of an efficient, customer-focused payroll service.

The Candidate:
We are seeking an experienced and knowledgeable payroll professional with a strong understanding of payroll legislation, NHS terms and conditions, and pension regulations. You will have significant payroll experience gained within a large and complex organisation, supported by a relevant degree, professional payroll qualification, or equivalent knowledge and experience.

You will possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, exercise sound judgement and manage competing priorities within strict deadlines. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you will regularly provide specialist advice and guidance to managers, HR colleagues, employees and external organisations. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to accuracy, customer service and continuous improvement, alongside the professionalism, tact and empathy required to manage confidential and sensitive matters effectively.

Location and Working Pattern:
PSDS Payroll Services has office locations in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, Denny and Dumfries. We offer the opportunity for hybrid working. Hours are 36 per week on a Monday to Friday office hours basis with flexitime available.

PSD Scotland is a remote-friendly employer with colleagues based throughout Scotland. We support hybrid and office-based working arrangements where possible and welcome discussions about alternative working patterns during the application process.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK and have entitlement to work in the UK for the post in which you will be employed.

Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion:
Public Services Delivery Scotland is a national organisation and, as an anchor institution, is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all under-represented groups, including racially minoritised people and disabled people. You do not need to be working in a similar role now. Whether you are returning from a career break, such as maternity, paternity or caring responsibilities, or bringing transferable skills from another sector, your experience can bring a valuable perspective to our work. We are committed to supporting staff health, wellbeing and development, and offer a range of learning and development opportunities to promote diversity, inclusion and positive mental health. Staff can also join a range of equality networks. As an equal opportunities employer and accredited Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. Where exceptionally high application volumes make this impracticable, a fair and proportionate shortlisting approach will be applied in line with Disability Confident guidance. If you would like to discuss the role, reasonable adjustments or alternative working patterns before applying, please contact NSS.wfrs@nhs.scot.

Further information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Anne Watson, Payroll Department Manager at anne.watson2@nhs.scot

Closing date for completed applications is Wednesday 11th November 2026

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).

We are an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies however, where exceptionally high application volumes make this impracticable, a fair and proportionate shortlisting approach will be applied in line with Disability Confident guidance.