Payroll/HR SME

Application Deadline

Department

Service Delivery

Employment Type

Fixed Term Contract

Location

HQ London

Reporting To

Gail Moore

Compensation

Description

Work as the Payroll Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the i ROPS Project, providing specialist payroll expertise to support the implementation of the new Resource and Planning Suite.

The role will ensure that payroll requirements are fully understood, documented, validated, tested and successfully integrated into the future operating model.

The Payroll SME will work closely with HR, Finance, Service Delivery, Technical teams and system suppliers to ensure that all payroll impacts arising from changes to rostering, workforce management, attendance, overtime, allowances and other pay-related activities are identified and managed.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, document and validate payroll requirements associated with the implementation of the new Resource and Planning Suite, ensuring alignment with business needs, collective agreements and payroll regulations.
• Undertake detailed "as-is" and "to-be" payroll process reviews to identify operational impacts, risks and opportunities for process improvement.
• Review proposed system designs and configurations to ensure payroll requirements are accurately reflected within the solution.
• Support the design, development and validation of interfaces between the Resource and Planning Suite, HR systems and payroll systems.

• Validate the configuration of pay rules including

• Overtime
• Shift premiums
• Enhancements
• Allowances
• Rest day working
• Leave and absence arrangements
• Other payroll-related calculations
• Support payroll data cleansing, migration and validation activities to ensure accuracy and integrity of payroll information.
• Develop payroll-related test scenarios and participate in: System Integration Testing (SIT), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Parallel payroll runs, Go-live readiness assessments
• Act as the primary payroll representative within the project, engaging with Payroll, HR, Finance, Service Delivery and supplier teams to ensure payroll impacts are understood and managed.
• Provide regular updates to project governance forums, highlighting payroll risks, issues, dependencies and mitigation actions.
• Identify payroll-related risks and support the development of mitigation plans to ensure accurate employee pay and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support the development of payroll-related training materials and provide specialist guidance to payroll and operational teams.
• Provide payroll expertise during deployment, cutover activities and hypercare support to ensure successful implementation and operational stability.

Experience, Knowledge and Qualifications Required

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, with general education to GCSE, O level, or equivalent standards including English, Mathematics and Science to the standard of at least GCSE Grade C/Level 4.
• Strong collaborative leadership capability, with the ability to influence, challenge, and support senior stakeholders including the Head of Service Delivery.
• Ability to investigate, analyse, and interpret complex data accurately, ensuring data quality and integrity, and using insights to inform operational and technical decision-making.
• Demonstrable experience in building robust business cases, supported by detailed knowledge and application of appropriate industry recognised systems and technologies.
• Sound practical experience in Health and Safety, welfare, and other related matters, including c2c alcohol and drugs policy and HR procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of rail operations, particularly in resource planning, scheduling, and operational efficiency.
• Experience with similar large-scale system implementations in a rail or transport environment is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of change management principles within IT and system implementation environments, with proven experience supporting and embedding change in operational settings.
• Demonstrable ability to drive user adoption, influence behaviours, and ensure new systems and processes are effectively integrated into operations.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies (e. g., Agile, PRINCE2) is beneficial.

The ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliverables in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment is essential.

• Demonstrable experience working with, or advising on, complex workforce management or rostering systems, including system configuration, integration, and optimisation.
• Strong understanding of system integration principles, particularly in relation to HR, payroll, and operational systems, including data flows, interfaces, and dependencies.
• Experience providing technical assurance within system implementation programmes, including involvement in design reviews, testing (e. g. UAT), and operational validation.
• Experience working with external suppliers and vendors, including supporting procurement activities, evaluating technical solutions, and providing informed challenge to ensure alignment with business requirements.
• Understanding of programme governance, risk management, and issue resolution within large-scale transformation environments.
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