Payroll Support Specialist in Southampton

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey!

British American Tobacco United Kingdom has an exciting opportunity for a Payroll Support Specialist in Southampton until October 2027.

Key Objectives and Expectations:

• The job holder is responsible for ensuring that data that interfaces from the HR system to payroll is managed in an accurate and timely manner, monitoring, and resolving issues identified.
• The role includes collation and processing of sensitive information, ensuring that employees receive accurate compensation in a timely manner.
• Support with system testing requirements to ensure legislation and policies are adhered to.
• Support with the reporting of all employee benefits.

Direct Impact:

• The job holder ensures precise payroll processing, minimising errors in employee payments.
• Accurate pay boosts employee satisfaction and trust in the organisation, fostering a positive work environment.
• Management of legislative requirements within the payroll systems prevents legal penalties and protects the organisation.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including manual calculations, maintaining data integrity within payroll systems, and minimising payroll errors and payslip discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC reporting requirements, statutory obligations, General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), company policies, and SOx audit controls, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant payroll legislation.
• Provide payroll reports and information to management, third parties, and Global Business Services, supporting payroll approvals and the resolution of payroll-related queries.
• Manage specialist payroll activities, including Non-Executive Director and foreign currency payrolls, employee benefits reporting, payroll support for Global Business Services, provision of payroll information and reports to management and third parties, and support for the Payroll Support and Technology Lead as required.
• Support payroll systems by resolving queries, participating in upgrades, maintenance, disaster recovery activities, and testing system changes impacting payroll.

What Are We Looking For?

• Strong payroll knowledge, including payroll calculations and relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of pension and share-related legislation would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with excellent numeracy and literacy skills.
• Effective communication, influencing, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll calculations and resolve employee payroll queries.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work to tight deadlines, and remain flexible during high-volume periods.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and payroll applications, with a proactive approach to identifying and implementing process and system improvements.

Qualification Required:

• Professional Payroll or Finance Qualification.

What We Offer You:

• A market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility).
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.

Why Join BAT?

• We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.
• At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values.
• We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles.
• We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.
• We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply.
• Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for.