About the role This role owns payroll and benefits across Equals Group. You will make sure everyone across the UK and our international entities in Belgium, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Poland, France, Malaysia and the USA is paid accurately, compliantly and on time, and you will run our benefits and pensions offering. Initially this role will report to the Group Finance Director. The reporting line will then transfer to the Head of Management Accounting. You will also work closely with the People team and support the global benefits programme. The role is based in London or Chester, with a minimum of three days a week in the office. Responsibilities Payroll and Benefits Strategy • Shape the global payroll and benefits strategy, balancing cost, compliance and value to employees. • Lead the harmonisation of benefits and pensions across the group, giving every employee a fair, consistent and locally competitive offering. • Identify tax-efficient ways to increase the value employees receive, such as salary sacrifice and flexible benefits. • Lead the consolidation of payroll processes and providers, reducing manual work, cost and risk through simplification and automation. • Manage our payroll, EOR, pension and benefits providers, brokers and insurers, holding them to account for accuracy, timeliness, service and value. Global Payroll Delivery and Sign-Off • Own the payroll cycle for every Equals entity, from cut-off and validation of variance reports, exceptions and pay changes through to final payment approval, with a clear audit trail. • Run all UK payrolls end to end, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, student loans, National Minimum Wage, the apprenticeship levy, RTI submissions and year-end. • Manage international payrolls through in-country providers, global payroll platforms and our EOR provider, meeting local tax, social security, statutory reporting and year- end obligations. • Partner with the People team on starters, leavers, contractual changes, pay reviews and bonus cycles so pay data is accurate and on time. Payroll Compliance, Controls and Reporting • Track legislative change in every jurisdiction and keep payroll practice compliant, working with local advisers where needed. • Produce payroll journals, month-end reporting and cost allocation across entities, reconciling payroll to the general ledger and to tax and social security liabilities. • Maintain payroll controls, segregation of duties and system access, providing evidence for internal, ISO and external audits and fixing the root cause of recurring errors. Payrolling Benefits • Make sure all benefit and pension deductions, salary sacrifice arrangements and employer contributions are processed through payroll with the correct tax and social security treatment, including Class 1A National Insurance in the UK. • Reconcile payrolled benefits, deductions, premiums and member numbers to provider invoices and schedules every month. Benefits, Wellbeing and Pensions • Manage the group's insured and wellbeing benefits, including private medical insurance, life assurance, critical illness, income protection, dental, health cash plans and the Employee Assistance Programme. • Manage workplace pensions in each country, including scheme design, contribution structures and any colleague consultation needed. • Ensure compliance with UK auto-enrolment, re-enrolment and declaration of compliance duties, and equivalent obligations elsewhere, managing contribution files, opt-outs, refunds and leaver processes. • Lead the annual renewal cycle for every scheme, including census data, claims experience, quote analysis and negotiation, challenging discrepancies in quotes and policy documents before acceptance. (This may transfer in 2028, TBC.) • Own the payroll and benefits budget, reporting cost and take-up to senior leaders. Communication and Employee Experience • Act as the escalation point for payroll and benefits queries, explaining pay, tax, deductions and benefits to employees clearly and with empathy. • Communicate changes proactively, including pay review outcomes, benefit renewals, new tax years and new legislation, keeping managers, Finance and the People team informed of timelines and deadlines. • Produce payroll and benefits guidance, FAQs and payslip explainers. Reward and Reporting • Work with the People team on the annual pay review, including market benchmarking, budget modelling and reporting to the CPO and Group Finance Director. (This may change in 2028, TBC.) • Own Gender Pay Gap reporting. Accountabilities • A global payroll and benefits strategy, including harmonisation and provider consolidation, that delivers genuine value to employees and the business. • Accurate, compliant and on-time payroll for every entity in every pay cycle, through to final sign-off. • Statutory compliance, year-end, controls and audit readiness across payroll and payrolled benefits in every jurisdiction. • The group's benefits and pensions offering, including scheme design, renewals, cost and budget. • Clear, proactive payroll and benefits communication to employees and stakeholders. Essential Skills • Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, benefits in kind and year-end. • Experience managing multi-country payroll through in-country providers or a global payroll platform, with a sound understanding of tax and social security outside the UK. • A strong control mindset, with a solid understanding of reconciliations and payroll accounting. • Proven experience managing an insured benefits portfolio, including private medical insurance, group risk and wellbeing, and leading renewals with brokers and insurers. • Working knowledge of workplace pensions, auto-enrolment and salary sacrifice. • Experience harmonising or redesigning benefits or pensions, including building business cases for senior approval. • Commercial judgement, with the ability to balance cost against employee value and experience. • Excellent written communication, able to explain complex pay and benefits matters simply. • Confident stakeholder management, advanced Excel, strong attention to detail and discretion with confidential data. Desirable Skills • Experience of payroll or systems consolidation following a merger or acquisition. • Experience implementing or migrating to a global payroll platform.
Global Payroll & Benefits Manager in London employer: Equals Group PLC
Equals is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to innovative solutions in the financial sector. Located in London, employees benefit from a vibrant city atmosphere, along with opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive team environment. With a focus on simplifying money management for customers, Equals offers meaningful work that directly impacts businesses operating globally.
