At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll processes and support HR operations with accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Join UKAEA, a leader in clean energy innovation and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in HR while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll or HR operations and strong attention to detail required.
The predicted salary is between 29328 - 29328 £ per year.
The Payroll Assistant provides critical operational support across the employee lifecycle, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant payroll and people processes. It requires professional judgement, initiative and specialist knowledge to resolve queries, maintain data integrity and deliver seamless end to end processes. Working within a structured, detail focused environment, the role manages multiple priorities to a high standard of accuracy and service. It also supports continuous process improvement and collaborates across teams to deliver efficient, organisation wide solutions.
What you’ll be doing:
- Manage end-to-end payroll administration within the ERP system, ensuring accurate data input and timely monthly payments and pension forecasts.
- Ensure payroll processes comply with internal governance, statutory requirements and HMRC regulations.
- Respond to complex payroll and HR queries via the People Service helpdesk, exercising sound judgement and resolving issues independently.
- Advise line managers and employees on the interpretation and application of HR policies, escalating sensitive or non-standard cases where appropriate.
- Deliver onboarding sessions for new employees, covering People policies, systems, benefits and pensions, and act as an initial point of contact.
- Administer relocation support in line with policy, including claim assessment, formal approvals and recovery calculations in liaison with Finance.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and employee guidance.
- Ensure GDPR-compliant data handling and secure document management within SharePoint.
- Act as the operational liaison between UKAEA and outsourced pension providers for pension quotations and related queries.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure audit-ready documentation across payroll, pensions and People operations.
Benefits:
- £29,328 base salary
- Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
- Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave, 2.5 privilege days and 8 Bank Holidays
- 3 days of site closure over Christmas break
- Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in payroll, HR operations or shared services within a medium-to-large organisation
- Strong working knowledge of employment and payroll legislation, including statutory leave, pensions and GDPR requirements
- Experience using ERP and HRIS systems, with excellent IT skills including Microsoft Excel and digital document management platforms
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail within high-volume, regulated environments, delivering end-to-end process excellence to deadlines
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex policies and calculations to employees and stakeholders
Our commitment to ED&I: UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.
People Payroll & Operations Assistant – 12 month FTC in Abingdon employer: Fusion Energy Base
At UKAEA, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and encourages professional growth. Our People Payroll & Operations Assistant role not only provides competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and flexible working options, but also fosters continuous improvement and collaboration across teams, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the heart of Oxfordshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Payroll & Operations Assistant – 12 month FTC in Abingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their goals, especially in payroll and HR operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to payroll and HR scenarios. This will help you articulate your experience and show off your problem-solving skills when it comes to complex queries.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace People Payroll & Operations Assistant – 12 month FTC in Abingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your payroll and HR operations experience, and don’t forget to showcase your attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the People Payroll & Operations Assistant role. Share specific examples of how you've handled payroll processes or resolved complex queries in the past.
Showcase Your IT Skills:Since the role requires strong IT skills, especially with ERP and HRIS systems, mention any relevant software you’ve used. If you’re proficient in Microsoft Excel, give us a heads-up on that too!
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 this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fusion Energy Base
✨Know Your Payroll Basics
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge before the interview. Understand key concepts like statutory leave, pensions, and GDPR requirements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re well-prepared and knowledgeable about the role.
✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail
Since this role requires a high level of accuracy, be ready to provide examples from your past experiences where your attention to detail made a difference. Whether it’s managing payroll data or ensuring compliance with regulations, highlight how your meticulous nature has led to successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Complex Queries
Expect to be asked how you would handle complex payroll and HR queries. Think of scenarios where you had to exercise sound judgement and resolve issues independently. Practising these responses will help you demonstrate your problem-solving skills during the interview.
✨Emphasise Process Improvement
The job involves identifying and implementing process improvements, so come prepared with ideas or examples of how you’ve enhanced efficiency in previous roles. Discussing your proactive approach to improving processes will show that you’re not just a doer, but also a thinker who can contribute to the team’s success.
