At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll, support employees, and improve processes in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a leading online car-changing destination with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, generous leave, and wellness support.
- Other info: Great opportunities for growth and a fun, inclusive team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Be the go-to person for employee support and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: 3-4 years in HR or payroll, detail-oriented, and solution-focused.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
OUR MISSION
To become the car-changing destination of choice. By combining technology, media and deep automotive expertise, we've turned how people buy, sell, advertise and lease cars on its head. What started as a simple reviews site is now one of the largest online car-changing destinations in Europe. Last year alone we grew over 50% with nearly £3bn worth of cars bought on site, while £1.8bn of cars were listed for sale through our Sell My Car service. In 2024 we went big and acquired Autovia - creators of AutoExpress and Evo magazines - doubling our audience overnight. Together we now have one of the biggest YouTube channels in the world with almost 10m subscribers and over 1.1 billion annual views, while we sell 1.2 million print copies of our magazines and have an annual web content reach over 350 million. And we’re a long way from done!
YOUR MISSION
Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and the People Operations team is the engine that keeps their experience running smoothly. As our People Operations Specialist, you'll own the accurate, on-time running of our UK payroll and be the trusted first point of contact for employees' questions on pay, benefits, and everything across the employee lifecycle. This is a hands‑on, detail‑driven role for someone who takes real pride in getting things right, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and genuinely enjoys making colleagues feel looked after. You are comfortable handling administrative tasks as part of your responsibilities. You'll be the person who turns it into something reliable, organised, and even better than you found it, using AI and smart tooling to work faster and smarter. The level and remit are shaped around your experience. There's clear room to grow from confidently owning day‑to‑day processes towards independently running our more complex ones and driving improvements across the team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Payroll: Own the end-to-end processing of our monthly UK payroll accurately and on time, from gathering inputs (new starters, leavers, changes, bonuses/commission, absence) through to submission and reconciliation. Act as the point of contact for our payroll provider, resolving queries and making sure everything ties out each cycle. Ensure payroll compliance with UK legislation (PAYE, NI, pensions auto-enrolment, statutory pay) and keep on top of changes. Maintain meticulous payroll records and support year-end processes (P60s, P11Ds and similar).
- Employee queries & support: Be the friendly, reliable first responder for employee questions on payroll, benefits, and lifecycle matters, resolving them promptly and clearly so everyone feels supported. Advise employees on people policies and processes, escalating the genuinely complex or sensitive with good judgement and discretion. Spot recurring questions and turn them into self‑serve answers, FAQs, and clearer documentation.
- Benefits: Administer our benefits programmes day to day, including enrolments, changes, leavers, and provider liaison. Help employees understand and make the most of what's on offer. Support benefits renewals and improvements, keeping records accurate throughout.
- Employee lifecycle: Deliver a smooth, engaging experience across the full lifecycle, including onboarding, contractual changes, family leave, and offboarding. Prepare accurate documentation (contracts, letters, changes to terms) and keep our HRIS (Hibob) clean and up to date at all times. Make sure every touchpoint feels considered, so people have a great experience from day one to their last day.
- Data, systems & admin: Keep our people data accurate, consistent, and audit-ready. You'll treat data quality as non‑negotiable. Produce clear, reliable reports and pull basic insights to support decision‑making. Use AI tools and automation to reduce manual effort, speed up admin, and improve accuracy.
- Continuous improvement: Take ownership of your processes and proactively look for ways to make them simpler, faster, and more reliable. Suggest and implement improvements to workflows and documentation, leaving things better than you found them.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- 3–4 years' experience in a People Operations / HR administration/payroll role, ideally within a scale‑up or high‑growth, fast-paced, high‑pressure environment.
- Hands‑on experience processing UK payroll and a solid working knowledge of UK payroll and employment fundamentals.
- Exceptional attention to detail. Accuracy is the thing you're known for, and you double-check by instinct.
- Not put off by admin. You find satisfaction in doing high‑volume, detailed work well and consistently.
- Highly organised. You juggle multiple priorities and deadlines calmly and never let things slip.
- Solution‑oriented. You take problems off people's plates, research answers independently, and come up with fixes, not just flags.
- Comfortable with AI. You actively use AI tools to work more efficiently and are keen to find new ways to apply them.
- Strong communicator. Warm, clear, and helpful, with the discretion to handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Confident with people systems and spreadsheets, and quick to pick up new tools.
BONUS POINTS
- Experience supporting benefits administration and renewals.
- Experience with Hibob and Bob payroll.
- Exposure to multi‑country / international People Operations.
- Relevant qualifications (e.g. CIPD, payroll certification) welcomed but not essential.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
- Introductory call with our Talent team
- Online interview with the Hiring Manager
- Values Interview
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
- Hybrid working (2 days working from home)
- Competitive salary
- Matched pension contributions
- Share options - when we thrive, so do you!
- Bupa Private medical and dental insurance, for peace of mind, plus eyecare vouchers
- Life Assurance
- Monthly coaching sessions with Spill - our mental wellbeing partner
- Enhanced holiday package, plus Bank Holidays
- 28 days annual leave
- 1 day for your wedding
- 1 day off when you move house - because moving is hard enough without work!
- For your third year anniversary, get 30 days of annual leave per year
- For your tenth year anniversary, get 35 days of annual leave per year
- Option to buy 3 extra days of holiday per year
- The option to work from abroad up to 4 weeks
- Inclusive parental, partner and shared parental leave, fertility treatment and pregnancy loss policies
- Bubble childcare support and discounted nanny fees for little ones
- Up to £500/€550 home office allowance for that massage chair you’ve been talking about
- Generous learning and development budget to help you master your craft
- Regular social events: tech lunches, coffee with the exec sessions, lunch & learns, book clubs, social events/anything else you pester us for
- Refer a friend, get paid. Repeat for infinite money
Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture. We know that diverse teams are strong teams, so we welcome those with alternative identities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply for this position. We make recruiting decisions based on experience, skills and potential, so all our applicants are treated fairly and equally.
People Operations Specialist in City of Westminster employer: carwow
At Carwow, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our Winnersh office provides a supportive environment with hybrid working options, competitive salaries, and generous benefits including enhanced holiday packages and a strong focus on employee wellbeing. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Operations Specialist in City of Westminster
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at carwow!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at carwow.
We think you need these skills to ace People Operations Specialist in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at carwow. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to carwow and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at carwow. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to carwow's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at carwow
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with carwow.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at carwow will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact carwow and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
