Payroll and People Specialist Lead

Role Overview

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for all employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with UK legislation.
• Oversee the preparation, calculation, and distribution of monthly salaries, overtime, bonuses, pensions, and other benefits.
• Partner with benefits providers to manage benefit-related payroll processes, supporting a smooth employee experience and effective cost management.
• Responsible for timely and engaged communications with employees on all payroll related matters including benefits and incentives.
• Ensure compliance with PAYE, NI, pension auto-enrolment, and statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, SAP).
• Act as the primary contact with HMRC and external auditors regarding payroll matters.
• Maintain payroll systems and ensure data integrity and security.
• Prepare and submit RTI (Real Time Information) and year-end returns (P60, P11D, P45, Gender Pay Gap report).
• Manage relationships with payroll software providers and ensure systems remain fit-for-purpose.
• Engage directly with employees to resolve payroll queries, ensuring clear communication and excellent customer service.
• Strong knowledge of salary sacrifices schemes and implementation of pension salary sacrifice and similar programmes.
• Manage and create the People Monthly MI and Quarterly MI packs for the Head of HR and People Director, providing real time recommendations.
• Support the HR team and manage ER cases as required needed.

Requirements

• Proven experience managing payroll in the UK, ideally in a fintech environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, and pension regulations.
• Experience with Payfit payroll system and in-depth knowledge of other payroll systems.
• Experience of managing and implementing incentives programmes.
• A proven track record of customer centricity – managing employee queries with professionalism, empathy, and discretion.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent numeracy skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other payroll/HR reporting tools.
• Professional payroll qualification (e.g., CIPP) desirable.
• Knowledge of grievance, disciplinary and investigation procedures.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per year
• Private Medical
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to self-learning platform
• Bookboon
• Income Protection
• Workplace Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme