Senior Payroll Officer

Job Title: Senior Payroll Officer
Reporting to: HR Payroll & Reward Team Leader
Location: Hillingdon, London

Rate: 27.04p/h inside ir35 through umbrella

Part time role, 21 hours per week with cover between 9:00-17:00

Job Purpose

To deliver accurate, timely payroll services in line with statutory requirements and organisation policies. You’ll handle complex payroll queries, support system improvements, and contribute to service development.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Delivery

• Provide expert guidance on payroll and reward policies, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.
• Deliver excellent customer service via phone, email, meetings, and documentation.
• Process and check the monthly payroll, including BACS runs, payslips, and reconciliation tasks.
• Run reports for accuracy, audits, and management information using Business Objects.
• Calculate emergency payments, overpayments, redundancy, and termination payments.
• Manage salary sacrifice schemes (e.g., childcare, cycle-to-work).
• Handle escalated queries from staff and HR, ensuring accurate resolution.
• Support year-end tasks and updates including EYUs and pay awards.
• Assist in the implementation of changes to employee benefits and conditions of service.
• Liaise with internal teams and external bodies such as HMRC, pension providers, and auditors.

Service Improvement

• Review and recommend enhancements to payroll procedures and systems.
• Participate in system upgrades and the development of new functionality.
• Stay current with legislative changes and liaise with tax consultants where needed.
• Deliver internal workshops and support project work across HR.

Professional Development

• Provide training for new and existing team members.
• Represent Payroll at meetings with managers and stakeholders.
• Support job evaluation activities and build reports as needed.
• Understand and promote the link between reward/benefits and employee engagement.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: CIPP or CIPD qualification; evidence of continuing professional development
• Desirable: Management qualification

Requirements

• Membership of a relevant professional body
• Flexibility to meet payroll deadlines, including occasional out-of-hours work
• Willingness to work on a rota between 9am–5.30pm

Experience

• Proven experience in processing payroll and managing complex queries
• Experience in completing accurate and timely payrolls in a team environment

Knowledge & Skills

• Sound knowledge of statutory payroll requirements and local government conditions
• Ability to communicate and coach on payroll policies and legislative changes
• Good IT skills including use of payroll systems and reporting tools

Competencies

• Positive, “can-do” attitude and adaptability
• Results-driven, problem-solver
• Strong team player, supporting others and sharing knowledge
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Customer-focused, committed to service quality
• Takes ownership of personal and team development