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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare payrolls and maintain salary records for a global organisation.
- Company: Join Charles River, a leader in drug development and research.
- Benefits: Work from home, competitive salary, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health while building a fulfilling career.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll and strong IT skills, especially in Excel.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Our Payroll Team has a fantastic opportunity as a Payroll Specialist as part of the wider Finance Shared Service function based at Riccarton, Edinburgh. Although the team’s office base is Edinburgh, the Payroll Team predominately work from home. Our Payroll Department is a managed processing service supporting various Charles River companies throughout Europe.
Responsibilities
- Preparation of payrolls for Charles River Laboratories in line with pre-determined reporting dates
- Maintenance of salary records in line with statutory and company specific requirements
- Ensure audit requirements are maintained
- Regular communication with employees and key stakeholders
- Support continuous improvement projects
- Maintain processing manuals and knowledge base documentation
- Complete adhoc payroll related requests and submissions
- General administration tasks
Minimum Requirements
- Experience of working in a multi-national organisation with regional or global payroll departments
- IT proficient – particularly confident in excel and PowerBI (preferred)
- Understanding of audit controls
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Ability to work within a fast paced, deadline driven and evolving environment
- Good stakeholder management
Beneficial But Not Essential
- Experience operating ADP Global View and ADP Celergo
- Proven track record operating within an outsourced payroll model
- Experience of operating within a centralised payroll function supporting EMEA
- Language skills, in particular Dutch, French or Italian
Closing date Friday, 06 February 2026
Payroll Specialist employer: Charles River Laboratories
Contact Detail:
Charles River Laboratories Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Charles River on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Charles River’s mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see that passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you’re confident in Excel and PowerBI, be ready to discuss specific examples of how you’ve used these tools in past roles. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the team at Charles River.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Specialist role. Highlight your experience in payroll processing, especially in multi-national organisations, and don’t forget to mention your IT skills, particularly with Excel and PowerBI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission at Charles River. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Continuous Improvement Mindset: We love candidates who are always looking to improve processes. In your application, share examples of how you've contributed to continuous improvement projects in previous roles. It’ll make you stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charles River Laboratories
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially regarding statutory requirements and audit controls. Familiarise yourself with the specific payroll processes used by Charles River, as this will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Excel Like a Pro
Since IT proficiency is key for this position, practice your Excel skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used Excel in past roles, particularly for payroll tasks, and maybe even prepare a few examples of how you've improved processes using it.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As the role involves regular communication with employees and stakeholders, think of examples where you've successfully managed stakeholder relationships. Highlight your ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely, which is crucial in a fast-paced environment.
✨Embrace Continuous Improvement
Charles River values a continuous improvement mindset, so come prepared with ideas or examples of how you've contributed to process improvements in previous roles. This shows that you're proactive and ready to make a positive impact from day one.
