Payroll Officer

Preamble

This job description is written in accordance with our school strategy. It refers directly to the ‘Organisational optimisation’ strategic pillar and is put together in the context of the Purpose, mission and values.

Purpose | To empower young people to understand, care and create a better future.

Mission | Foster learning with a rich curriculum that develops intellectual, social, physical and creative skills, preparing students for global citizenship.

Our Values

Care | Compassion | Empathy | Looking After One Another | Asking Difficult Questions with Respect | Wellbeing | Happiness

Dedication | Commitment | Giving Our All | Going the Extra Mile | Consistency | Showing Up When Things Get Tough | Striving for Excellence

Integrity | Honesty | Fairness | Transparency | Doing Our Part | Respect

Curiosity | Keep Asking Questions | Drive to Evolve | Inquisitive | Explore Ways to Do Things Better | Keep Learning | Creativity

Payroll Officer

Job Advert

The Payroll Officer at St. Catherine’s British School plays a key role in the accurate and timely processing of staff salaries and benefits. With a strong emphasis on confidentiality, compliance, and attention to detail, the role involves managing payroll systems, ensuring adherence to relevant tax and employment regulations, maintaining accurate employee records, and liaising with HR and Finance departments. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent organisational skills, a meticulous approach to data management, and a commitment to delivering a professional and reliable payroll service that supports the school’s operational excellence.

St. Catherine’s is a leading independent British international school that teaches 1400 pupils from 3 to 18 years of age. The school is a member of HMC, COBIS, and is an IBO world school. It teaches the EYFS curriculum and the National Curriculum for England and Wales, as well as IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school is a dynamic and exciting community with innovative teaching and learning practice at its core with a strong extra-curricular programme.

Please apply by email, to [email protected], using the school’s application form. Further information regarding the school, the job description, person specification and details of the application procedure can be obtained from the school’s website http://www.stcatherines.gr/about-us/opportunities/. Please note that we do not accept the simple submission of a CV. Please be aware that you must have the rights to work within the EU (i.e., be a Greek or EU citizen, or have a residence permit to work in Greece).

St Catherine’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the ACRO Criminal Records Office. Please include the names and contact details of three referees. Please note that any personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only and for unsuccessful candidates’ personal data will be destroyed on completion of the process.

St Catherine’s is a Registered Charity No. 313909.

The closing date for applications Friday, 19th September 2025

Interviews will be arranged at the earliest convenience thereafter.

Payroll Officer

Job Description

Reports to: Head of Human Resources

Type of contract: Permanent, Full-Time

Place of Work: Upper School

Hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday inclusive

Holidays: 30 days per calendar year (to be taken outside of term-time)

Main Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to manage the full payroll function at St. Catherine’s British School. The role involves preparing and reconciling monthly payroll, liaising with Greek tax and social security authorities, ensuring full compliance with Greek labour laws, and supporting staff with payroll-related matters. The ideal candidate will be proactive, discreet, highly organised, and fully familiar with Greek payroll systems and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing and Compliance

• Process monthly payroll entries, including timesheets, allowances, bonuses, and statutory leaves.

• Prepare payroll reconciliations.

• Prepare payroll bank payments. Liaise with relevant banks

• Prepare and upload all relevant payroll documentation to ERGANI.

• Record payroll entries in the general ledger and perform monthly reconciliations.

• Generate monthly payroll reports and ad hoc reports for internal stakeholders and auditors.

• Manage payroll entries for new hires, departures, resignations, dismissals, and contract amendments.

• Prepare and review contracts reflecting salary increases or changes in employment terms.

Greek Labour Law and Tax Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable Greek labour, tax, and social security laws (EFKA, IKA, ERGANI, MyAADE, Sepenet).

• Submit monthly EFKA and tax reconciliation reports. (ΦΜΥ, ΑΠΔ)

• Prepare severance and retirement payment calculations; liaise with EFKA and staff pension consultants.

• Keep up to date with legislative changes and labour regulations and advise HR accordingly.

• Maintain records for maternity/paternity leave, unpaid leave, sabbaticals, and ensure statutory entitlements are accurately applied.

• Prepare monthly absences reports for submission to ERGANI.

• Liaise with the Head of Risk & Compliance regarding Workplace Doctor and Security Technician for relevant updates to E4.

Staff Support and Communication

• Respond to payroll-related queries from staff members.

• Guide employees on maternity/paternity processes, pregnancy benefits, and Greek Authority proceedings.

• Explain pension and severance rights and procedures under Greek law.

• Support staff with online EFKA sick leave reimbursement and other related queries.

Liaison with Ministries and Authorities

• In collaboration with the HR department, manage correspondence with the Ministry of Education, including registration and updates for locally hired staff.

• Submit work schedules for supply and invigilator staff to ERGANI.

• Contact public offices as required for labour or tax matters.

• Attend public offices to submit unpaid leaves.

Pension and Benefit Schemes

• Administer Allianz savings and pension schemes, including contribution changes and reconciliations.

• Provide staff with clear guidance on the drop-in/out process and monthly contribution reviews.

Other Responsibilities

• Support re-hiring processes for coaches and invigilators at key times during the academic year.

• Monitor staff tuition fee deductions and coordinate with Finance.

• Prepare annual payroll and headcount reports (e.g. SLI).

• Prepare and distribute vouchers (e.g., Sklavenitis) where applicable.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in Greek payroll administration.

• In-depth knowledge of Greek payroll legislation, taxation, and social insurance (including EFKA, IKA, MyAADE, ERGANI).

• Proficient in payroll software and MS Office.

• Excellent communication skills in both Greek and English.

• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and discretion.

• Ability to work collaboratively across departments, particularly with HR and Finance.

• Essential: Experience working with payroll management systems in Greece.

• Previous experience in an international school or bilingual environment.

• Familiarity with Allianz pension plans or similar private pension schemes.

• Experience preparing reports for internal or external audits.

• Desirable: Experience using EPSILON payroll management systems.

Personal Qualities:

• Commitment to upholding and promoting the ethos and values of the school

• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines

• Reliability, integrity and discretion

• Integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Organisational skills and a proactive mindset.

• Flexibility to manage changing compliance and reporting environments.

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

• Willingness to undertake training and professional development as required

While the above includes a description of the essential functions of the position, other duties may be assigned by the Head of Human Resources as appropriate.

St. Catherine’s British School is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children. This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Act 1975, the successful applicant will be required to apply for an International Child Protection Certificate if they are a non-local hire. Local hires are required to complete a Greek criminal record check.