Payroll Officer in London

A leading global bank based in Central London is seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join its HR Operations team on a temp-to-perm basis. This is a critical hire within a small, collaborative HR function and would suit someone who enjoys operating in a fast-paced, hands-on environment with broad exposure across the business.

The successful candidate will take ownership of end-to-end payroll operations for approximately 760 employees, with additional oversight across international payroll activities. The role requires a proactive individual with strong technical payroll knowledge, excellent attention to detail, and a willingness to "roll their sleeves up" within a highly visible open-office environment.

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll cycle, ensuring accurate and timely salary payments, bonuses, overtime, deductions, and adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with all UK payroll legislation including HMRC regulations, National Insurance, Auto Enrolment pensions, SSP, SMP, PSA and P11D reporting.
• Maintain payroll records and employee data in line with GDPR and internal controls.
• Process and reconcile payroll journals, bank payments, payroll accounts and general ledger entries.
• Support month-end payroll accounting activities including balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manage payroll-related submissions including RTI, year-end reporting and statutory filings.
• Handle payroll queries efficiently, resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Administer employee benefits processing including season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and bike-to-work schemes.
• Support pension administration and liaise with pension providers and HMRC.
• Assist with payroll audits, Head Office reporting requirements and ongoing compliance activity.
• Work closely with HR, Finance and external tax advisors on global mobility and assignee matters.
• Contribute to payroll process improvements, automation initiatives and system enhancements.

• Minimum 3 years' payroll experience within financial services, banking, insurance or a similarly regulated environment.
• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll processes independently.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation and employment taxes.
• Experience with PSA, P11Ds and benefits processing.
• Exposure to international payrolls or global mobility arrangements is highly desirable, particularly across Europe or APAC.
• Strong Excel skills including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables and data manipulation.
• Experience using payroll systems such as SDWorx, Sage, ADP or similar platforms.
• Understanding of payroll accounting, journals and reconciliations.
• CIPP qualification (completed or studying towards) beneficial.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to engage across teams and senior stakeholders.
• Highly organised, resilient and comfortable working in a busy open-plan environment with frequent interruptions.

• Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Driven to improve processes and deliver quality outcomes.
• Able to build strong working relationships across HR, Finance and Operations.

Hybrid working model: 3 days in the office / 2 days from home.