Payroll Specialist - UK Payroll

About This Role

The Payroll Specialist runs payroll for the whole company and answers employees' questions about their pay slips. This role ensures the accurate, compliant, and timely delivery of the monthly UK payroll through a managed payroll service provider. You will oversee payroll processing, reconciliations, statutory reporting, pension submissions, and payment controls, working closely with HR, Finance, Treasury, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end monthly UK payroll, from validating inputs to final approval and payment
• Manage employee data changes, leave entitlements, and employee benefits in Workday, including new hires, leavers, pay, overtime, absence, and deductions
• Validate payroll interfaces and gross-to-net calculations, resolving discrepancies with the payroll provider
• Prepare reconciliations, variance analysis, funding requirements, and month-end reports
• Complete accurate HMRC, RTI, BACS, and statutory submissions and investigate rejected payments
• Manage accurate and timely third-party payments and related reconciliations
• Produce P45s, maintain payroll records, and keep employee personnel files accurate and up to date
• Respond to employee queries, work with internal teams and external providers to meet deadlines, and collaborate with vendors to manage invoices, resolve discrepancies, and support timely approval and payment
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements
• Manage auto-enrolment assessments and pension contribution files
• Support year-end activities, including P60s, P11Ds, and payrolled benefits reporting
• Provide audit support and maintain effective payroll procedures and controls

Requirements

• At least five years' end-to-end UK payroll experience, ideally in a complex or multi-site organisation
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, RTI, BACS, statutory payments, benefits, auto-enrolment, National Minimum Wage, and year-end requirements
• Experience in reconciliations, payment controls, reporting, and audit support
• Strong Excel and payroll-system skills
• Accurate, organised, and discreet, with strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder-management skills

Nice to have:

• Workday or Resource Link experience
• A recognised payroll qualification, such as CIPP

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, company pension scheme, and annual bonus scheme
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology
• Recognition and reward for outstanding performance