Interim Payroll Specialist (FTC)

To provide payroll expertise and operational support during a major HR and payroll transformation programme, ensuring payroll continuity, compliance, and service excellence. The role will help stabilise payroll operations as employee data management activities transition from local processes and ADP iHCM to SAP SuccessFactors, while supporting key payroll improvement initiatives and legislative changes.

Client Details

PageGroup (recruitment consultancy)

World leading recruitment firm, operating in more than 30 countries
FTSE 250 listed business, employing more than 6,000 employees
1200 headcount in the UK, 150 headcount in MEA
Core disciplines: Accounting & Finance, Sales, Procurement & Supply Chain, Engineering, Customer Service, Secretarial and more
Key Brands: Michael Page, Page Outsourcing, Page Executive

Description

Key Responsibilities: Interim Payroll Specialist (FTC)

Payroll Operations

· Deliver accurate and timely end-to-end payroll processing for UK employees.

· Support payroll business-as-usual activities during periods of increased operational demand and system transition.

· Validate payroll inputs and outputs, ensuring employee payments are accurate and compliant.

· Process and review payroll transactions including:

o New starters

o Leavers

o Salary amendments

o Variable payments

o Benefits and deductions

o Pension contributions

o Court orders and statutory deductions

· Calculate and process payroll adjustments, including underpayments and overpayments.

· Investigate and resolve payroll queries in a timely and professional manner.

· Support payroll reconciliations and controls to ensure payroll accuracy and governance.

Payroll Compliance & Legislation

· Maintain a strong understanding of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.

· Ensure compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, pensions, and employment tax regulations.

· Calculate statutory payments accurately, including:

o Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

o Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

o Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)

o Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)

o Shared Parental Pay (ShPP)

· Ensure payroll processing remains audit-ready and compliant with internal controls.

Transformation & Change Support

· Support payroll stabilisation activities throughout the SAP SuccessFactors implementation and transition period.

· Work closely with Payroll, HR and project teams to identify and resolve payroll-impacting issues.

· Assist with process validation, data checks and operational readiness activities.

· Support the transition of employee lifecycle processes, including:

o New starters

o Employee changes

o Leavers

· Contribute to process improvement initiatives and documentation updates.

· Identify process risks and recommend practical solutions to minimise payroll disruption.

Benefits & Future Legislation

· Support the Payroll team with activities associated with the implementation of mandatory payrolling of benefits.

· Assist with process reviews, data validation, stakeholder engagement, and readiness activities ahead of the April 2027 implementation deadline.

· Support payroll governance activities relating to employee benefits and taxable benefits reporting.Profile

Interim Payroll Specialist (FTC)

Must be within a commutable distance of Reading

Essential

· Significant experience working within a complex UK payroll environment.

· Strong end-to-end payroll processing knowledge.

· Thorough and demonstrable understanding of:

o PAYE

o National Insurance

o Statutory payments

o Payroll compliance requirements

o Payroll year-end activities

· Experience calculating payroll adjustments and overpayments.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

· Ability to work independently and take ownership of issues through to resolution.

· Excellent stakeholder management skills.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· High attention to detail and accuracy.

· Proficient in Microsoft Excel and payroll systems.

Desirable

· CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll certification.

· Experience working with ADP payroll solutions.

· Experience with SAP SuccessFactors.

· Experience supporting payroll transformation, system implementations, or large-scale change programmes.

· Experience supporting benefits administration and employment tax compliance.

Job Offer

What's on offer? Interim Payroll Specialist (FTC)

Initial 9-month FTC, with potential scope to go permanent
Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Reading based (Apex Plaza, attached to Reading train station)- 3x days per week
Hybrid Working
Salary (DoE): £45,000 - £55,000 per annum
(pro rata) 25 days holiday + bank holidays
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed