Senior Specialist UK Payroll Operations

About the Role

As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you'll serve as a trusted Payroll Subject Matter Expert responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, compliance, governance, and exceptional employee experience.

Beyond payroll delivery, you'll influence operational excellence, support transformation initiatives, partner with senior stakeholders, and contribute to continuous improvement programmes.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own end-to-end UK & Ireland payroll operations
• Ensure compliance with HMRC and statutory regulations
• Lead payroll governance and control activities
• Manage RTI submissions, PAYE, NIC, pensions and statutory reporting
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and audit readiness
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits and business leaders
• Act as a recognised Payroll SME for complex payroll matters
• Support payroll transformation and system enhancement projects
• Drive process optimisation and operational excellence initiatives
• Improve employee payroll experience through proactive support

What we are looking for

• 8–12+ years UK payroll experience
• End-to-end payroll ownership experience
• Strong knowledge of HMRC regulations
• PAYE, NIC, RTI and statutory payments expertise
• Payroll reconciliations and controls experience
• Payroll bureau, outsourcing, shared services or multinational experience
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Nice to Have

• CIPP qualified
• CIPP part-qualified
• Currently studying towards CIPP
• Ireland payroll exposure
• SOX and audit framework experience
• SAP, ADP, Workday or SD Worx experience

Why You'll Love Working Here

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Career growth opportunities
• Exposure to global payroll operations
• Payroll transformation projects
• Professional development support
• Collaborative international teams
• Opportunity to influence change
• Recognition for technical expertise
• Long-term payroll career pathways