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- Tasks: Prepare payrolls and maintain salary records while supporting continuous improvement projects.
- Company: Join Charles River, a leader in drug therapy development with a global impact.
- Benefits: Work from home, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in global health while building a fulfilling career.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-national payroll and proficiency in IT, especially Excel.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
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. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.
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 in Edinburgh employer: Charles River
Contact Detail:
Charles River Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist in Edinburgh
✨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 about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your payroll knowledge and the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like Excel and PowerBI. We want to show that we’re not just a good fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your experience with multi-national payroll systems during interviews. It’s a big deal for this role, so let’s make sure we showcase our skills in that area!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the Charles River family!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist in Edinburgh
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 any relevant IT skills like Excel or PowerBI. We want to see how your background aligns with what we do!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about joining Charles River and how your skills can contribute to our mission. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Continuous Improvement Mindset: We’re all about continuous improvement here at Charles River. In your application, share examples of how you've contributed to process enhancements in previous roles. This will show us that you’re proactive and ready to make a difference!
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 gives you a chance to explore more about our company and culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charles River
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially regarding multi-national organisations and statutory requirements. Familiarise yourself with the specific payroll processes used at Charles River, as well as any relevant software like ADP Global View or Celergo.
✨Excel Like a Pro
Since IT proficiency is key for this role, practice your Excel skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used Excel in past roles, particularly for payroll tasks, and consider preparing examples of how you've utilised PowerBI if you have experience with it.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As a Payroll Specialist, you'll need to communicate regularly with employees and stakeholders. Prepare to share examples of how you've effectively managed stakeholder relationships in previous jobs, and think about how you can demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive payroll information with discretion.
✨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 your previous roles. Think about challenges you've faced in payroll processing and how you overcame them to enhance efficiency.
