Senior Payroll Specialist

The Senior Payroll Officer will play a critical role in delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll services across DP World UK Ports & Terminals. As the senior operational specialist for payroll, this position will oversee end-to-end payroll delivery for a workforce of approximately 1,500 employees – blue and white collar, ensuring robust controls, data integrity, and high-quality service. The successful candidate will partner closely with Finance, HR, Operations, and Reward teams while supporting a small payroll team and driving continuous improvement across payroll processes.

How you will contribute

• Oversee accurate and timely monthly payroll processing for all Ports & Terminals employees.
• Ensure correct calculation of PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions, court orders, flexible benefits, and statutory deductions.
• Manage HMRC submissions including RTI, tax code updates, and statutory notifications.
• Prepare and submit payroll for monthly sign-off by the Senior Director of HR and Chief Financial Officer.
• Maintain strong internal controls and complete monthly reconciliation of payroll and related accounts.
• Supervise and develop the payroll team, including Payroll Officers, Administrator, and Apprentice.
• Allocate workload, monitor quality, and ensure deadlines and performance standards are achieved.
• Act as the senior operational point of contact for all payroll-related matters and escalations.
• Interpret UK payroll, tax, and pension legislation, providing recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Ensure payroll systems remain compliant with all statutory thresholds and legislative updates.
• Oversee administration of employee benefits including pensions, flexible benefits, bonuses, and salary reviews.
• Reconcile benefit-related payroll activity and produce supporting reports.
• Produce and validate monthly payroll reporting including headcount, overtime, salary, bonus, HMRC, and GL outputs.
• Conduct data accuracy checks across payroll, HRIS, and workforce planning systems.
• Support statutory reporting requirements such as ONS submissions and Gender Pay Gap reporting.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and system enhancements.
• Support system testing, payroll audits, and implementation of corrective actions where required.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders including Finance, HR Business Partners, Operations, and Engineering teams.
• Provide expert guidance and resolve complex payroll queries, ensuring a high standard of service delivery.
• Collaborate with Regional and Global Reward teams on payroll, benefits, and reporting alignment.
• Ensure compliance with DP World’s Health & Safety policies and safe working practices.

What you will bring

Qualifications

• AAT NVQ Level 3 in Payroll Administration, CIPP Diploma / Advanced Diploma, IAB Payroll qualification, or equivalent. (Desired)

Experience

• Experience supervising payroll staff or overseeing operational payroll activities – Essential.
• Experience working in deadline-driven, fast-paced environments – Essential.
• Experience in statutory reporting, benefits administration, and payroll reconciliations – Essential.
• Experience within a multi-site or operational workforce environment – Desirable.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pensions, auto-enrolment, and HMRC requirements.

Compensation

DP World offers exciting and challenging roles within a growing international organization. We strive to hire and develop the right people, locally and globally, stimulating personal growth and self-development within an informal atmosphere. We offer a market competitive compensation package.