Payroll Administration Apprentice

Job overview

We are delighted to offer an apprenticeship opportunity within our busy Payroll Department for the role of Payroll Administration Apprentice.

This is an exciting chance to join a high performing team at the heart of the organisation, supporting the delivery of an accurate and professional payroll and pension service. You will work alongside experienced payroll specialists and gain hands on exposure to the full range of administrative tasks involved in processing pay for a large, complex workforce.

Main duties of the job

Your responsibilities will include:

Handling employee telephone and email queries with confidence and professionalism

Setting up new starters and inputting data accurately

Supporting day-to-day payroll processing and calculations

Managing post, filing, photocopying, and other administrative tasks that keep the service running smoothly

Working as part of a fast-paced team, you will need excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload. We are looking for individuals who are confident, proactive, and able to use sound judgement when making decisions.

This apprenticeship offers exceptional career development for motivated and enthusiastic individuals with an interest in finance and customer service. It provides a structured pathway into specialist payroll roles and plays an important part in the department’s long term succession planning. For the right candidate, this is a valuable opportunity to build a rewarding career within the NHS and develop expertise that is in high demand.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust

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.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

The contract length is for 24 months and the apprenticeship salary on commencement is £16,258; after 12 months in post this will increase to the National Minimum Wage (depending upon your age).  The Trust is proud of its values of Together – Safe, Kind and Excellent and looks to provide its staff with support, training and progression opportunities; towards the end of your apprenticeship contract, you will be supported by the Apprenticeship Team to apply for permanent employment.  We have a high percentage of previous apprentices who have successfully gained further employment within the Trust with opportunities to gain higher qualifications.

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 Apprenticeship. It is ideal if this type of role is new to you, where you can learn and build new skills. You will need to have minimum GCSE Grade 4/C or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English. You will be enthusiastic, have a positive work ethic, be keen to learn and able to work in a team.  You will receive support to gain a wide range of experience and skills, supervision and mentoring. 

There is no upper age limit on joining us as an apprentice.

Applicants must:

Require new knowledge, skills and behaviours to undertake the apprenticeship.
Not already hold qualifications or experience that would duplicate the content of the apprenticeship (i.e. the programme must represent new learning rather than repetition of an existing qualification).

Interview date –9th and 10th September 2026

We also have apprenticeships in nursing which are subject to different terms. For more information on the Nursing Apprenticeship scheme please check our website https://www.careers.cuh.nhs.uk

NB: Due to UK apprenticeship funding regulations applicants must have a right to work in the UK, or for EU citizens hold pre-settled or settled status and have been a UK resident for the last three years or have indefinite leave to remain with documents that are not due to expire during the duration of the apprenticeship contract. Applicants must also not already have a qualification at a higher level within the same subject matter.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

English & Maths GCSE at Grade 4/C or above (or an equivalent level of Literacy and Numeracy skills)

Desirable criteria

• ICT qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of prioritising own work

• Experience of organisation of work (This can be attained at school, college, through work)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working (including any work experience, voluntary, weekend, part time work or school associated activities)

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Ability and desire to develop from the training and coaching provided

• Ability and interest in working in a finance and customer focused environment

• An understanding of confidentiality.

• Ability to work in a flexible manner

Desirable criteria

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to demands of the job

• Experience of IT software programs

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and written

• Ability to work accurately

• Ability to show motivation and punctuality

• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritise day to day workloads

Desirable criteria

• Ability to touch type

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria

The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Karen Godfrey

Job title

HR Advisor – Apprenticeships

Email address

View email address on careers.cuh.nhs.uk

Telephone number

View phone number on careers.cuh.nhs.uk

Additional information

Stephanie Richardson - Deputy Payroll & Pensions Manager

View email address on careers.cuh.nhs.uk 

View phone number on careers.cuh.nhs.uk