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.
- 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.
- Other info: Fully remote role with excellent career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
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: Finnpartners
Contact Detail:
Finnpartners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll & Benefits Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or industry events. Let them know you're on the hunt for a Payroll & Benefits Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common payroll questions and be ready to showcase your experience with Dayforce and multi-country payroll. Practice makes perfect, so consider doing mock interviews with friends or family.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your achievements in payroll management and benefits administration. This can set you apart from other candidates and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at FINN Partners.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll & Benefits Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll & Benefits Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially with end-to-end payroll processes and any exposure to multi-country payroll. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in payroll and benefits management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with Dayforce if you have it.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: In payroll, accuracy is key! Make sure your application is free from typos and errors. This not only reflects your attention to detail but also shows us that you take pride in your work. A polished application goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finnpartners
✨Know Your Payroll Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in end-to-end payroll processes, especially for the UK and Ireland. Brush up on your knowledge of Dayforce, as it’s crucial for this role. Being able to discuss specific payroll scenarios or challenges you've faced will show your expertise.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Benefits Administration
Since you'll be overseeing employee benefits, it’s important to understand how private medical and dental insurance schemes work. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed benefits in the past and any improvements you’ve implemented.
✨Highlight Your Multi-Country Experience
If you have experience with Irish, German, or French payroll, make sure to bring it up! Discuss any challenges you faced while coordinating with external providers and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the broader scope of the role.
✨Show Your Proactive Side
This role requires someone who can take ownership and drive continuous improvement. Think of examples where you identified inefficiencies in payroll processes and how you addressed them. Showing that you’re proactive will set you apart from other candidates.