Payroll Administration Apprentice

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridge (CB2 9FF)

Closes in 8 days (Tuesday 25 August 2026)

Posted on 14 August 2026

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Summary

We are delighted to offer a Payroll Administration Apprenticeship in our Payroll Department. The Payroll Team work closely with all departments across the Trust. Our apprentice will support the team with the day-to-day admin, processing, inputting and calculation associated with providing an excellent Payroll and Pensions service to our staff.

Wage

£16,258 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

After 12 months in post, the salary will increase to the National Minimum Wage 

Training course
Payroll administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday normal office hours, times to be discussed and agreed (i.e. 8am to 4pm / 8.30am to 4.30pm / 9am to 5pm)

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 26 October 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Key duties and responsibilities

The apprentice will be trained and supported to be able to carry out the following tasks in the duration of the apprenticeship contract:

  • Support the processing of monthly payroll payments in accordance with regulations.
  • Processing of employee related data, including personal details, claim forms, pension updates and contract changes in accordance with the financial and payroll timescales, statutory legislation, NHS regulations, local terms and conditions of service and standing financial instructions and policies relating to the payment and processing of pensions, salaries and wages.
  • Processing of payroll-related information to ensure employees are paid on time and accurately.
  • Liaise with the HR team and managers in respect of personnel data and processes.
  • Support HR and payroll-driven process changes and improvement
  • Input data into the HR and Payroll ESR database.
  • Maintain employee records accurately and efficiently (both paper-based and electronic).
  • Filing, photocopying, scanning, dealing with the incoming and outgoing post/emails, and other general administrative tasks.
  • Answering employee telephone queries and responding to general correspondence in writing or email.
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and the nature of the post as directed by the payroll team leader.
  • To acquire a working knowledge of the NHS Pension Scheme in order to assist the Pensions section of the office with specific duties as required.

Where you'll work

Cambridge University Hospitals (Addenbrookes & The Rosie)
Payroll & Pension Services
Maris Lane, Trumpington
Cambridge
CB2 9FF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SMART TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT LIMITED

Training course

Payroll administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Training schedule

  • Come and join us, and be supported to earn as you learn whilst undertaking a nationally recognised qualification 
  • You will study a Payroll Administrator Level 3 qualification over 24 months
  • You will receive a minimum of 6 hours per week during your work time to complete your ‘Off the Job’ (OTJ) training.  This time will be allocated to you to complete either in work or you may study from home (at manager’s discretion)
  • Additional training will be given in the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (GCSE or equivalent) (grade 4/C or above)
  • Maths (GCSE or equivalent) (grade 4/C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Time management
  • Enthusiastic
  • Positive work ethic
  • Keen to learn
  • Understand confidentiality
  • Motivation
  • Punctuality

About this employer

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together- safe, kind, excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population. 

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Towards the end of the apprenticeship contract, you will have gained the knowledge and experience to enable you to apply for your next step in employment.  You will be supported by a dedicated Apprenticeship Team to do this.  We have a high percentage of previous apprentices who have successfully gained further employment with us with opportunities to gain higher qualifications.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Karen Godfrey

karen.godfrey2@nhs.net

01223 349385

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000026699.

Apply now

Closes in 8 days (Tuesday 25 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.