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Job summary

Main area
Electronic Staff Record (ESR)
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
914-ESR219
Employer
NHS Business Services Authority
Employer type
NHS
Site
Home Based
Town
Home Based
Salary
£53,755 - £60,504 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

NHS Business Services Authority logo

ESR Development Advisor - Payroll and Pensions

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

As the NHS Workforce solution moves into a transformational new era there is an exciting opportunity to join the national ESR Team, responsible for delivery of the largest HR, Payroll and Learning management solution and service in the World, to support the next exciting chapter in Workforce Services at NHSBSA.

 

The Department of Health and Social Care has commissioned the NHSBSA to lead the Future NHS Workforce Solution Transformation Programme, to identify and deliver the Future NHS Workforce Solution to over 1.8 million NHS colleagues in England and Wales.  Further Information on the programme can be found here - Future NHS Workforce Solution Transformation Programme | NHSBSA

 

It is anticipated that the new supplier will be chosen by Autumn 2025, beginning a significant transitional period as they take on responsibility for running the existing service, whilst configuring the Future Workforce Solution in parallel.

 

Consequently, we are seeking additional Development Advisors to support the various workstreams across the ESR Operations and Development team to ensure that we continue to deliver a world-class service to our users throughout a period of significant transition. You will become part of a team of subject matter experts working directly with users, external stakeholders and suppliers to ensure that the current solution continues to meet and exceed expectations.

 

Interviews are expected to be held towards the end of June 2025 via Microsoft Teams.

Main duties of the job

You will work within a dedicated team of subject matter experts to deliver a World-class service. You will be able to demonstrate these essential skills and knowledge:

 

  • Have ESR functional experience across the specific areas, with a good understanding of payroll/pensions functionality.
  • Be committed to ensuring that ESR is the best possible solution for all our user organisations and employees
  • Have the ability to translate business requirements into clear functional requirements to provide solution enhancements to ESR
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Attention to detail and high standards of accuracy in both written and verbal work.
  • Self motivated, proactive, and tenacious with high level of customer focus
  • Networking skills, ability to form and develop close working relationships and deal with people from all levels
  • Ability to negotiate, persuade, and influence senior stakeholders
  • Strong planning and organisational skills

Working for our organisation

Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.

 

We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we’re proud to be part of something meaningful, that touches millions of lives.

 

We design our services around customer needs and place people at the heart of our organisation. That’s why when you join us, you’ll be empowered and supported to help your career grow.

 

As one of the UK’s Best Big Companies to work for, we’re connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.

 

We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every colleague is heard, supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, and you can join our Lived Experience Networks who help us bring our authentic selves to work.

 

We’re committed to being a flexible employer and we try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible, through hybrid working, flexible hours and more.

 

Alongside a competitive salary with pay progression, we offer a people-centric benefits package, connecting you to the rewards and benefits you value most!

 

Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people live longer, healthier lives? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.

 

We are people connected to care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Maintaining an advanced, sophisticated, highly developed knowledge of ESR with particular focus on Payroll and Pensions.  To keep up to date on system developments and system enhancements and communicate these where relevant.
  • Developing a full understanding of each module within ESR. Providing specialist knowledge on payroll and pensions aspects of Absence ensuring the system is compliant with statutory requirements.
  • Maintaining and developing knowledge around the ‘concepts’ of ESR and how each module (i.e. department) interacts with other modules.  There will be a requirement to communicate this information in an effective way to NHS organisations.
  • Maintaining a general understanding of how payroll and human resources departments operate and integrate with each other.
  • Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of NHS terms and conditions of service and relevant legislation, system interfaces and national initiatives concerning Oracle/ESR.
  • Understanding the benefits of ESR to understand the ESR ‘fit’ within the wider NHS context and to act as an ambassador.
  • Establish working relationships with key operational and strategic staff.  Communicating with all levels of NHS staff, all types of NHS organisations, external organisations (e.g. 3rd party payroll providers) and individuals associated with the project such as contractors or consultants. 
  • Being conversant with planned developments within the NHS in order to ensure that the system is tailored to meet the requirements of these in the ongoing delivery of the same.
  • Supporting Payroll and Pensions best practice and critical paths ensuring that the system processes meet the requirements of the service in order to provide timely and accurate payrolls.
  • Assisting with Payroll and Pensions related developments including developing and approving testing requirements and signing off test results.
  • Reacting to Service Requests (within agreed timeframes) that are assigned to the team in the area of Payroll/ Pensions – liaising with the ESR Supplier and Users as required.

·       Assisting with the design, production and review of ESR educational and communication documentation such as User Notices, ESR User Manual and deliverable documentation within specific timescales.

  • Acting as a key individual with regard to problem solving within NHS organisations.  To develop an acute knowledge of how the system works so that quick and accurate guidance can be given to NHS staff who use ESR. This will include interaction with the ESR Supplier support teams and systems.
  • Providing specialist functional advice, support and clear, concise, straight-forward guidance on the best way forward and good practice to NHS organisations in relation to Payroll, Pensions and ESR functionality.  This will include delivering ESR functional demonstration and familiarisation sessions to operational sites and other organisations.
  • Answering ad hoc queries raised via meetings either virtual or physical from NHS staff and other key stakeholders that are not answered through ESR Hub, e-learning, online user manual or existing literature.
  • Ensuring that the views and concerns of staff using the system are relayed and passed on to the appropriate teams, but also to ensure that any perceived ‘negative’ information around key functionality is delivered fairly and honestly and dealt with in the appropriate way.
  • Deputising for the Senior Development Advisor as required.

Person specification

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of ESR functionality, with a specific focus but not limited to the Payroll/Pensions functional areas.
  • Understanding of the NHS Workforce landscape, NHS Strategies, Payroll/Pensions/HR policies, NHS T&Cs and legislation.
  • Strong problem solving skills - ability to identify and evaluate all options pragmatically and look for alternative solutions or strategies.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to successfully negotiate, influence and persuade senior stakeholders.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of procedures and processes within ESR Payroll/Pensions functions.
  • Experience of working on NHS HR/Payroll projects.
  • Experience of presenting to large groups and/or senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Degree or equivalent
  • English/Mathematics and A Level or equivalent

Employer certification / accreditation badges

LGBTQIE Top 100 2023LGBTQIE Gold Award 2023We are a Living Wage EmployerMenopause Friendly EmployerDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardENEI Gold '22Better Health at Work AwardStep into healthCarer Confident -AccomplishedStonewall Top 100 Employers in 2023Care Confident EmployerBest Big Companies 2024Outstanding to work for 2024NFP Body's Top 5 to work for

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Tracey Wilcock
Job title
ESR Senior Development Advisor- Payroll & Pensions
Email address
[email protected]
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