Payroll & Benefits Lead

Payroll & Benefits Lead

Full-Time 45000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
F

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead payroll operations for UK and Ireland, managing employee benefits and improving processes.
  • Company: Join FINN Partners, a fast-growing global marketing and communications agency.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous time-off, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Fully remote role with excellent career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Step up your career with full ownership of payroll and benefits across multiple countries.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years payroll experience, strong attention to detail, and familiarity with Dayforce.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.

This position is a hybrid role with no set requirement for specific days or number of days in office; the role can be fully remote for the right candidate.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced payroll professional ready to take the next step in their career. As our Payroll & Benefits Lead, you’ll take ownership of payroll operations across the UK and Ireland, while coordinating with external providers in Europe. This is an excellent opportunity for a Senior Payroll Specialist who is confident running payroll end-to-end and is now looking to step into a broader role with greater visibility, autonomy, and responsibility. You’ll manage payroll for 160 employees in the UK and 15 employees in Ireland using Dayforce, and act as the key point of contact for our payroll providers in Germany (15 employees) and France (15 employees). In addition to payroll, you’ll oversee core employee benefits including private medical, dental insurance, and an annual wellness allowance. This is a fully remote role offering real ownership and the opportunity to shape and improve processes.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Payroll (UK & Ireland)
    • Run end-to-end monthly payroll for 175 employees across the UK and Ireland.
    • Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on time using Dayforce.
    • Maintain payroll data including starters, leavers, salary changes, bonuses, commissions, and deductions.
    • Manage pension contributions and auto-enrolment compliance.
    • Process statutory payments (SSP, SMP, etc.).
    • Submit RTI filings and statutory reporting.
    • Support year-end activities including P60s and P11Ds.
    • Reconcile payroll reports and ensure accuracy with HMRC PAYE portal.
    • Assist with annual payroll and accounting audits.
  • European Payroll Coordination
    • Act as the internal point of contact for external payroll providers in Germany and France.
    • Coordinate monthly payroll inputs and review outputs for accuracy.
    • Ensure deadlines are met and queries are resolved promptly.
  • Benefits Administration
    • Manage private medical and dental insurance schemes.
    • Oversee enrolment, changes, and leavers within benefit plans.
    • Administer the annual wellness benefit.
    • Ensure payroll deductions and benefits-in-kind reporting are accurate.
    • Reconcile benefit invoices and liaise with Finance.
    • Respond to employee benefit queries.
  • Continuous Improvement
    • Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes.
    • Support system enhancements and testing within Dayforce.
    • Help maintain compliance with payroll legislation and internal controls.

About You

  • 4+ years’ payroll experience, ideally in a Senior Payroll Specialist role.
  • Confident running UK payroll end-to-end with minimal supervision.
  • Experience with Irish, German and French payroll is desirable.
  • Exposure to multi-country payroll (or working with external providers) is advantageous.
  • Experience administering employee benefits.
  • Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, pensions, and statutory payments.
  • High attention to detail and strong reconciliation skills.
  • Experience with Dayforce payroll application highly desirable.
  • Comfortable working independently in a remote/hybrid environment.
  • Proactive, organized, and keen to take ownership.

Why This Role?

  • A genuine step up in scope and responsibility.
  • Full ownership of payroll operations.
  • Opportunity to broaden experience across multiple countries.
  • Exposure to benefits management and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Hybrid/Fully remote working.
  • £45,000-50,000 salary.

As a FINN team member, you will have access to:

  • A generous time-off policy with extra time off during the summer, and office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
  • Comprehensive, opt-in private medical and dental insurance.
  • Parental leave and flexible accommodations for working parents.
  • 6% employer pension contributions.
  • An annual Wellness subsidy.
  • Hybrid WFH model with possibility of fully remote work.
  • Career growth opportunities.

The compensation range for this role is £45,000 – £50,000 commensurate with experience. Please upload your resume and cover letter detailing your prior work experience and indicate your desired salary in GBP.

Payroll & Benefits Lead employer: Finn Partners

Finn Partners is an exceptional employer that values collaboration and innovation within its dynamic work culture. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company offers comprehensive benefits including 25 days of holiday, medical insurance, and a wellness subsidy, making it an attractive place for professionals seeking meaningful careers in talent acquisition. Located in the UK, this role provides a unique opportunity to work alongside industry leaders in public relations and marketing, fostering both personal and professional development.

F

Contact Details:

Finn Partners Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Payroll & Benefits Lead

✨Join HR Networks

Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!

✨Make Your Presence Known

Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Finn Partners!

✨Leverage Your University Connections

If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.

✨Showcase Your HR Passion

Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Finn Partners.

We think you need these skills to ace Payroll & Benefits Lead

End-to-End Payroll Management
Dayforce Payroll Application
UK Payroll Legislation
Irish Payroll Experience
German Payroll Coordination
French Payroll Coordination
Employee Benefits Administration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Finn Partners. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Finn Partners and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.

Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Finn Partners. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.

Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Finn Partners's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.

How to prepare for a job interview at Finn Partners

✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices

As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Finn Partners.

✨Know Your Recruitment Tools

Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!

✨Highlight Your People Skills

A full-time HR role at Finn Partners will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.

✨Stay Current with HR Trends

Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Finn Partners and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.