Payroll & Benefits Manager in London

Clarksons, based in City Of London, England, is offering a Payroll & Benefits Manager role within the HR department. The successful candidate will manage payrolls for Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Geneva, Spain, Italy, Taiwan, and three UK payrolls, as well as oversee all UK benefit schemes including SAYE, Medical, PHI, Corporate Gym, Childcare, and Cycle to work.

Role Summary

The Payroll & Benefits Manager will coordinate all UK insurance renewals such as Life Insurance, PHI, and Income Protection. The Payroll Supervisor and two Payroll Officers will report to this role, handling all processing aspects of payroll.

Payroll Duties

• Check three UK payrolls (650 for H Clarkson & Co Ltd, 250 for Clarkson Port Services, and 30 for Clarksons Offshore and Renewables Limited) completed by the payroll team on the ResourceLink system.
• Work with HR colleagues to ensure all approvals for payroll are completed satisfactorily.
• Check payrolls for Denmark (20 employees), Sweden (3 employees), Geneva (41 employees), Netherlands (17 employees), Spain (15 employees), Taiwan (2 employees), and Italy (2 employees).
• Responsible for year-end for all UK payrolls in March.
• Collate and manage P11D/Payrolling Benefits information for submission in June.
• Test system upgrades on TEST and LIVE.
• Coordinate tasks from the payroll mailbox to the team.
• Coordinate supplementary payroll in April for share vestings.

HR Duties

• Report to HR Director and HR Divisional Director weekly.
• Manage and lead UK benefits while aligning regional benefits strategy to global minimum standards.
• Administer and renew benefits portal (Benifex).
• Monitor costs of insurances, invoices, and provide breakdowns to Accounts.
• Maintain strict adherence to legislative frameworks, regularly reviewing processes and validating regulatory requirements.
• Control the invoicing process with suppliers and monitor scheme costs on behalf of the Company.
• Manage outsourced administration provider (ISIO), monitoring their performance against service level agreements.
• Drive key business-as-usual activities such as benefit statements, statutory returns, and cyclical projects.
• Ensure legislative deadlines are met for pension scheme returns to HMRC and the Pension Regulator.
• Monitor monthly contribution files to ensure deadlines are met.
• Respond to complex member queries and manage the pension mailbox.
• Facilitate the member-nominated trustee appointment process.
• Handle discretionary death benefit claims sensitively and appropriately.
• Ensure compliance with Auto-enrolment legislation.
• Work with external auditor for requests around annual company accounts.
• Develop and implement communication strategies to promote pension benefits.
• Collaborate with HR colleagues to integrate pensions into broader HR strategies.

What we’re looking for

• Integrity and respect – acting ethically and promoting a respectful work environment.
• Drive – self-motivation and commitment to succeed.
• Relationship building – excellent communication skills to build strong relationships.
• Collaboration – working well with others across diverse backgrounds.
• Resilience – adapting to changing situations with a positive approach.
• Smart – problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Other requirements

• Knowledge of ResourceLink Payroll system is preferable.
• Experience in managing ADP Celergo is preferable.
• Highly experienced in all aspects of payroll functions.
• Highly experienced in DC Pension related tasks.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Excellent problem-solving and judgment skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to handle and prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive and able to ensure all deadlines are met.