Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

Coventry City Council's Payroll & Pensions Service provides the full range of services to Council, as well as to external customers on a traded service basis.

Our People Plan 2022-25 sets out our ambitions as a HR service that will inspire others, working towards being a more diverse and inclusive employer. Providing learning opportunities for the future including having a digitally enable workforce.

The work of our team spreads across two main areas: Council services/LA schools and external customers, and we provide our services to approx. 40 external customers, paying up to 12,000 people.  We have an excellent reputation and wish to grow our capacity for new business opportunities. 

What is the job role?

We are looking for an experienced and motivated professional to lead our Payroll and HR Systems team. You will be responsible for managing payroll operations, maintaining HR/Payroll systems, leading service improvement projects, and ensuring compliance with payroll legislation and organisational policies. The role also involves building strong customer relationships, providing expert advice, delivering system training, and driving continuous improvement across the service.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a proactive and customer-focused leader with substantial experience in payroll administration and HR/Payroll systems. You will have excellent people management skills, the ability to analyse and interpret complex data, and experience of implementing system developments and process improvements. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of payroll legislation and compliance requirements are essential. You will be confident managing competing priorities while maintaining high levels of accuracy and service delivery.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date(s): W/C 6th July 2026

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council