Payroll Assistant in Edinburgh

A payroll position that adapts to your week, offering real flexibility. At Ark, corporate service roles are built around a 4-day, 32-hour working week. This role is part-time at 16 hours per week, with flexibility around how those hours are worked. This way of working is new for us, but a deliberate choice. We believe it supports better focus, healthier workloads and more sustainable performance for our people and the organisation.

We’re looking for a Payroll Assistant to support the day-to-day running of payroll and expenses and to act as a reliable first point of contact for routine payroll queries. This role will suit someone who likes working with numbers, understands the importance of detail, and takes pride in people being paid correctly.

Working closely with the Payroll Coordinator, you’ll help ensure employees are paid correctly and on time, working to agreed payroll deadlines, payroll data is accurate, and routine queries are handled professionally. Day to day, you’ll be involved in things like:

• Acting as a first point of contact for routine payroll and expenses queries;
• Processing monthly payroll inputs, including hours, allowances, deductions and employment changes;
• Maintaining accurate pay-related data in the HR and payroll system;
• Supporting statutory pay calculations (including sick pay and family leave);
• Processing expenses in line with policy and maintaining audit trails;
• Supporting pension auto-enrolment activity and payroll reporting;
• Identifying and resolving data issues, escalating where needed;
• Supporting improvements to systems, processes and ways of working, with a focus on accuracy, consistency and good governance.

You’ll work closely with the wider People & OD team as well as colleagues from Finance and Care & Support, helping deliver a payroll service that’s accurate, compliant and supportive.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Strong numerical skills and a high level of attention to detail;
• Experience working in a payroll environment;
• Confidence using payroll or HR systems, and Excel;
• A clear, professional and customer-focused communication style;
• An understanding of confidentiality, data protection and statutory requirements;
• The ability to organise your work and manage deadlines independently.

Most importantly, you’ll care about getting things right and about providing a positive experience for colleagues.

Alongside our 4-day working week, we also offer:

• Flexible, part-time working arrangements;
• Hybrid working and flexible start and finish times;
• A generous annual leave allowance, with additional leave awarded as your service grows;
• 4% contributory pension;
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support;
• Employee discounts, access to Blue Light Card and Cycle to Work scheme;
• Annual leave buy & sell options.

Ark is a values-driven housing and social care organisation. We aim to create inclusive communities where people can live with dignity, independence and a sense of belonging – and that starts with how we treat our colleagues.

CVs will not be accepted. Applications close at 5pm Thursday 19th February 2026. Interviews will be held the week commencing 23rd February 2026.