At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll processes, including PAYE and CIS for employees and subcontractors.
- Company: Join a leading MEP contractor in Essex with a focus on building services engineering.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Great opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team and work on exciting, complex projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll, especially within the construction industry, is essential.
1st Step Solutions are supporting a multi-disciplinary MEP contractor who has an opportunity for a Payroll Officer / Manager on a permanent basis based in Essex. Our client is a multi-disciplinary Mechanical and Electrical (MEP) contractor specialising in building services engineering across a variety of sectors, including data centres, commercial buildings, education, healthcare and other construction environments. They are looking to recruit an experienced and organised Payroll Officer / Payroll Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day running and management of the company's payroll function, including PAYE, CIS and subcontractor payments.
The Role
This is a key position within the finance team, responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of all payroll activities, PAYE submissions, CIS returns and payments to employees and subcontractors. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and CIS regulations, ideally with previous experience working within the construction or MEP industry.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and process weekly and monthly payrolls including CIS process for subcontractors.
- Process new starters, leavers, salary changes and employee amendments.
- Calculate holiday pay, statutory sick pay, maternity pay and other statutory payments.
- Ensure PAYE, National Insurance and other statutory deductions are calculated correctly.
- Submit RTI reports to HMRC, including FPS and EPS submissions.
- Manage employee pension contributions and auto-enrolment requirements.
- Handle payroll queries from employees and management.
- Produce payroll reports and maintain accurate payroll records.
- Verify subcontractors with HMRC and establish the correct deduction status.
- Ensure subcontractor records, UTR numbers and verification details are accurate and up to date.
- Process subcontractor payment applications and invoices.
- Calculate CIS deductions at the appropriate rates.
- Prepare and submit monthly CIS returns to HMRC.
- Ensure CIS deductions are paid to HMRC within the required deadlines.
- Issue monthly CIS deduction statements to subcontractors.
- Ensure compliance with HMRC CIS legislation and reporting requirements.
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience in a payroll position, ideally within the construction industry.
- Strong working knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance and HMRC payroll requirements.
- Extensive practical experience of the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).
- Experience processing weekly and monthly payrolls.
- Experience preparing and submitting CIS returns and making HMRC payments.
- Good understanding of subcontractor verification and CIS deduction rates.
- Experience reconciling payroll, CIS and PAYE accounts.
- Strong Excel and general IT skills.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Previous experience working for an MEP contractor, main contractor or construction subcontractor.
- Experience with Sage, Xero, COINS or other payroll/accounting software.
What is on Offer
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
- Company pension scheme.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
- Regular exposure to major MEP and technically complex projects.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for career progression within a growing business.
Payroll Officer / Manager in Romford employer: 1st Step
1st Step Solutions is an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in the dynamic field of recruitment within the construction and building services sector. Located in Basildon, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring you can advance your career while contributing to our team's success. Join us to be part of a vibrant team where your efforts are recognised and rewarded, making a meaningful impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Officer / Manager in Romford
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like 1st Step, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Payroll Officer / Manager at 1st Step.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Officer / Manager in Romford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Step
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
