OUR CLIENTS
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust: Payroll Transformation
I found the report providing a review of Payroll Services to be thorough, comprehensive and thoughtful, and it is a document I have returned to multiple times to inform my thinking and plans. I particularly appreciated Camburg’s experience and leadership coaching.”
Ali Morris
Head of Pay and Reward at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
The challenge
In September 2017 two NHS foundation trusts (University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM) and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT)) merged to form Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) with over 23 000 staff on the payroll.
The merger resulted in two payroll teams, on two separate sites. Each team had separate line management and different systems, process, deliverables and ways of working, including varying job titles and job descriptions. The monthly payroll process for both sites continued to rely on paper-based processes for payslips and expenses.
Building on the success of our previous work with MFT, they approached Camburg to shape the future of the department.
Approach
Review phase
Camburg supported the Trust in undertaking a review. Data and information about, and from, both services was collected and analysed as well as reviewing payroll and benefits services within other NHS providers. The payroll team worked with us to design the future of their department. A report was presented to management highlighting current challenges, suggested plans for development and implementation strategies for the transformation of key areas in the Trust.
Implementation phase
Once the plans were agreed we moved to the implementation phase. On a practical level this included:
- a new leadership structure and reporting lines
- creation of new job descriptions and mapping of all staff to their new roles
- co-locating the two offices
Two key pieces of work were the designing of a new operating model and the creation an 18-month strategic vision and operational plan for the Pay & Reward Leadership team to ensure success beyond the initial transformation. As part of the project we were also exploring agile and remote working, this was accelerated in response to the pandemic.
Outcomes
Our involvement and support with MFT’s payroll transformation has significantly strengthened the department. There is now one single team, operating from a single site, with a new leadership structure and a new name: Pay & Reward Services team. Notable changes include:
- Smooth transition to one monthly payroll process
- Clearly defined teams supporting business units
- Strategy & Planning Lead, Quality Assurance & Improvement Lead, and Systems & Data Analyst onboarded
- Working towards operational effectiveness with the capability to work in an agile and flexible way from home or in the office
- A decreasing reliance on paper-based processes, e.g. ongoing roll out of e-expenses; elimination of paper payslips