Payroll & Benefits Team Lead in Leatherhead

POSITION DETAILS:

• Reports to: Payroll & Benefits Manager
• Team: Payroll & Benefits
• Department: Admin

PURPOSE OF JOB:

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.
• It protects the business from financial, regulatory, and reputational risk.
• It creates resilience in a critical function through ownership, controls, and strong operational discipline.
• It 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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.

WIDER TEAM NETWORK:

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

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS:

• Educational Qualifications: English Language & Grammar, Maths (Essential)
• Professional Qualifications: Payroll Training, CIPP Qualification (Essential/Desirable)
• Years of Experience: 3 years in a dedicated Payroll position, 3 years administering Benefits programmes, Experience supporting or mentoring others in a payroll environment (Essential/Desirable)
• Other Requirements: Advanced Microsoft Excel capability, Ability to analyse, reconcile, and interpret payroll data confidently, PowerBI or HR & payroll reporting experience, HRIS systems training will be provided (Essential/Desirable)

CORE Competencies & SKILLS:

• 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.

MEASURES & GOALS:

• Accurate payroll delivery: Error-free payroll outputs with minimal rework (Monthly)
• Payroll deadlines to be met: All payroll milestones achieved on time (Monthly)
• Management of employee data for HR, Benefits & Payroll: Accurate information & records for all employees (Daily)
• Operational resilience: Smooth payroll delivery during absence or change (Ongoing)
• Quality & controls: Audit-ready processes with clear documentation (As required)
• Stakeholder confidence: Positive feedback from employees, HR & Finance (As required)
• Team capability: Demonstrated development and support of Specialists (Ongoing)