Payroll & Benefits Team Lead in Leatherhead

To provide operational leadership within the Payroll & Benefits function, acting as a senior payroll subject‑matter expert and day‑to‑day lead for the team. The role is responsible for ensuring payroll and benefits processes are delivered accurately, compliantly, and on time, while supporting the Payroll & Benefits Manager through coaching, operational oversight, and acting as a key point of escalation. The Team Lead operates as a player–coach: maintaining hands‑on delivery responsibility while driving consistency, quality, resilience, and continuous improvement across payroll operations.

This role matters because it safeguards employee confidence in pay and benefits, protects the business from financial, regulatory, and reputational risk, creates resilience in a critical function through ownership, controls, and strong operational discipline, and raises the bar beyond processing—embedding consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The team lead will not just run payroll; they will be owning outcomes, coaching capability, and ensuring payroll stands up to scrutiny at every level.

• Oversee and contribute to the accurate and timely delivery of Bytes Software Services payroll, ensuring compliance with UK payroll legislation and internal controls. This includes leading complex processing areas including commission structures, OTE calculations, salary sacrifice arrangements, and statutory payments.
• Work closely with HR, Finance, Recruitment, and Business Managers to ensure smooth handling of payroll‑related changes and initiatives.
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and guidance to Payroll Specialists, ensuring work is prioritised, standards are upheld, and deadlines are met.

• Lead monthly payroll collation, validation, and sign‑off preparation:
• Review and validate input data, calculations, and reconciliations.
• Ensure commission and variable pay data is accurate and supported.
• Oversee statutory calculations and adjustments.
• Support and quality‑check starters, leavers, role changes, tax status changes, and benefits amendments.
• Manage sensitive employee data with the highest levels of confidentiality and integrity.
• Handle complex payroll and benefits enquiries, providing resolution and guidance.
• Support internal and external audits, providing evidence and explanations as required.
• Actively mentor and develop Payroll Specialists through coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.

• Internal: Payroll & Benefits, Finance, HR, Recruitment, Business Managers
• External: Government bodies, payroll software company, benefits providers

• Educational Qualifications: Maths
• Professional Qualifications: Payroll Training, CIPP Qualification
• Years of Experience: 3 years in a dedicated Payroll position, 3 years administering Benefits programmes, Experience supporting or mentoring others in a payroll environment
• Other Requirements: Ability to analyse, reconcile, and interpret payroll data confidently, PowerBI or HR & payroll reporting experience, HRIS systems training will be provided, Exceptionally trustworthy and discreet with sensitive and confidential data, Able to work to deadlines, time management, prioritisation, discipline, Confident subject‑matter expert, able to challenge constructively and advise articulately and credibly, Holds personal accountability for maintaining effective payroll controls, audit readiness, and data quality, Calm and methodical under pressure, with strong attention to detail, Methodical, multi‑tasker, Effective coach and collaborator, contributing positively to team capability and confidence.

• Error‑free payroll outputs with minimal rework – Monthly
• Payroll deadlines met – Monthly
• Accurate employee data for HR, Benefits & Payroll – Daily
• Operational resilience – Ongoing
• Audit‑ready processes with clear documentation – As required
• Positive stakeholder confidence – As required
• Team capability: demonstrated development and support of Specialists – As required