Principal Payroll SME, UK & Ireland in Cambridge

In this role, you will be the definitive expert on Ireland and UK payroll, helping our clients pay their people accurately, on time and in full compliance with Revenue and HMRC requirements. You'll safeguard compliance, resolve the complex, and raise the bar for payroll quality across everything we do. No two days are the same. You'll act as the go-to authority and escalation point for intricate payroll matters, advise clients and colleagues, and lead the setup, testing and go-live of new and transitioning payrolls. From parallel runs to year-end, you'll bring the deep statutory knowledge and calm judgement that keeps payroll running flawlessly across two jurisdictions.

To thrive in this role, you'll need to enjoy solving problems, translating complex payroll rules into plain language, and continuously improving how we work. You'll keep pace with legislative change in both Ireland and the UK, champion accuracy and efficiency, and share your expertise generously to lift the whole team. Deep expertise, precision, integrity and a client-first mindset are must-haves in this job. You'll grow your career, shape how we deliver payroll, and build strong relationships as we design what's next for ADP and the industry.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Payroll expertise & compliance: You'll act as the definitive subject matter expert for Ireland and UK payroll, ensuring accurate, compliant and on-time delivery across the full payroll lifecycle.
• Advisory & escalation: You'll be the go-to expert and escalation point for complex payroll matters, advising both clients and internal teams with clarity and confidence.
• Implementation & onboarding: You'll lead payroll setup, configuration, parallel runs, testing, data migration and go-live for new and transitioning payrolls.
• Legislative change management: You'll monitor Revenue and HMRC legislative changes and ensure they are reflected promptly and correctly in our processes and systems.
• Continuous improvement: You'll drive automation, accuracy and efficiency, using data and audit insight to identify pain points and deliver measurable improvements.
• Collaboration & mentoring: You'll partner across functions and coach and upskill junior colleagues, strengthening payroll knowledge and resilience across the team.
• Reporting & documentation: You'll produce clear, reliable payroll reporting and maintain accurate process documentation, controls and audit trails.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• A formal qualification is great but not strictly required. What matters most is proving you have the deep payroll expertise to do the job.
• We're looking for a senior payroll professional who brings:
• UK payroll mastery: Current, in-depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory processing: PAYE, National Insurance, RTI (FPS/EPS), pension auto-enrolment, statutory payments (SSP/SMP/SPP/ShPP), P45/P60/P11D, HMRC compliance and year-end.
• Ireland payroll mastery: Strong knowledge of Irish payroll: Revenue PAYE Modernisation and real-time reporting, PRSI, USC, ROS submissions, statutory deductions and Irish year-end, pension auto-enrolment, MyFutureFund.
• Depth of experience: Typically 8-10+ years of hands-on payroll experience, ideally in a multi-client / bureau or large in-house environment.
• Implementation & transformation: Proven experience of payroll onboarding, configuration, parallel runs, testing, data migration, go-live and change management.
• SME & advisory capability: A track record as a trusted advisor and escalation point for complex payroll issues, both internally and for clients.
• The ability to explain complex payroll concepts simply and build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Analytical & tooling skills: Strong Excel skills and confidence working with payroll data, calculations, audits and reporting.
• Process & quality focus: Highly organised, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy and a genuine continuous-improvement mindset.
• Ways of working: Able to work independently, manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, mentor others and collaborate cross-functionally.

YOU'LL LOVE WORKING HERE BECAUSE YOU CAN:

• Team collaboration: You will be supported by a strong spirit of knowledge sharing and mutual assistance.
• Challenge your solutions: Courage comes from how associates are willing to have difficult conversations, speak up, develop a sense of ownership, and be willing to sometimes challenge one another's ideas to net out the best solution.
• Deliver at epic scale: We deliver real user outcomes using strong judgment and good instincts. We're obsessed with the art of achieving simplicity with a focus on client happiness and productivity.
• Be surrounded by curious learners: We align ourselves with other smart people in an environment where we grow and elevate one another to the next level. We encourage our associates to listen, stay agile, and learn from mistakes.
• Act like an owner & doer: Like the idea of being mission-driven and committed to navigating change, you will be encouraged to take on any challenge and develop your own ability to solve problems.
• Give back to others: You want to learn what it is to do the right thing for our clients and our community and humbly give back to the community where we live and work.
• Join a company committed to equality and equity: Our goal is to impact lasting change through our actions.

What are you waiting for? Apply today!