Payroll Specialist

This role is to ensure the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of end-to-end payroll for a high-volume workforce (1,000+ employees). The Payroll Supervisor is responsible for maintaining payroll integrity, statutory compliance, and high-quality reporting while overseeing payroll controls, resolving complex queries, and supporting continuous improvement across payroll and HR systems., Ideal candidate: The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience managing payroll data for 1,000+ employees, including starters, leavers, contractual changes, statutory payments (SSP, SMP), holiday pay calculations, and payroll reconciliations. They will be confident using Sage 50 Payroll and SAP HR systems, with advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data cleansing, and exception reporting). They will also have experience producing payroll and labour cost reporting, managing payroll queries, and supporting payroll compliance and audit requirements. Experience with time & attendance systems, payroll reporting, and process automation (e.g. Power Automate) would be advantageous. Key activities:

• Deliver end-to-end payroll processing for 1,000+ employees accurately and on time
• Manage starters, leavers, contractual changes, and statutory payments (SSP, SMP)
• Calculate holiday pay and ensure payroll compliance with legislation and company policy
• Validate and reconcile payroll data, ensuring accuracy across all inputs and outputs
• Process BACS payments and maintain payroll controls and audit checks
• Download, validate, and reconcile time & attendance data against payroll outputs
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee queries
• Maintain employee data within SAP HR and administer Sage 50 Payroll system
• Produce payroll, labour cost, pension, NI, bonus, and commission reporting
• Support HR and Finance teams with ad hoc reporting and data analysis
• Ensure GDPR compliance, confidentiality, and adherence to payroll legislation
• Support process improvements, automation, and efficiency initiatives
  
  CIPP level 4 Payroll specialist certificate or equivalent payroll qualification or be able to demonstrate substantial experience of end to end payroll processing within a medium to large organisation
• Confident using Sage 50 Payroll and SAP HR systems, with advanced Excel skills
• Experience managing payroll data for 1,000+ employees, including starters, leavers, contractual changes, statutory payments (SSP, SMP)
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Confident working independently in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills with ability to explain payroll information to non-finance stakeholders
• Proactive approach with a continuous improvement mindset
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism
• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Collaborative and able to build strong relationships across HR, Finance, and operational teams
• Possess UK driving license with access to your own vehicle.