At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll and pensions, ensuring compliance and accuracy in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Established organisation in the housing sector with a dedicated finance team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and continuous improvement in a collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Take ownership of payroll processes and make a real impact in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Proven payroll experience and strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 35206 - 35206 £ per year.
Location – Bracknell (hybrid – minimum 3 days per week onsite)
Salary – up to £35,206 per annum (depending on experience) plus comprehensive benefits
Contract Type – Permanent
We’re supporting a well‑established organisation in the housing sector with a dedicated finance team (around 3 people) responsible for delivering accurate, compliant payroll and pensions services across the group. The team is looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Officer to support the Payroll Manager in running monthly payrolls, administering pension schemes, and driving process improvements in a compliant, regulated environment. This is a hands‑on role with real ownership: you’ll process complex payrolls, deputise for the manager, handle stakeholder queries, manage expense payments, and contribute to system enhancements and legislative compliance – all while maintaining high accuracy under tight deadlines.
What you’ll be doing:
- Process monthly payroll and pensions for the organisation, including administration of multiple pension schemes (such as auto enrolment and salary sacrifice arrangements)
- Deputise for the Payroll Manager, providing expert advice and guidance to internal teams, external stakeholders, and resolving complex queries (often face‑to‑face or via phone/email)
- Support payroll projects, process reviews, workflow planning, and implementation of system upgrades or enhancements
- Ensure full compliance with UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, NIC, RTI submissions, auto enrolment, and best practice standards
- Stay current with changing legislation and contribute to team knowledge‑sharing and continuous improvement
- Maintain payroll system integrity in line with statutory requirements and internal policies
- Handle accounting tasks such as payroll posting to the general ledger, monthly reconciliations, year‑end processes (P60s, P11Ds, PSA returns where relevant)
- Manage pension contributions, reconciliations, and timely payments for budgeting and financial reporting
- Review and update procedures to align with legislation and future‑proof payroll operations
- Oversee bi‑weekly expense payments, ensuring accuracy, correct coding, and HMRC/policy compliance
- Undertake any other ad‑hoc duties to support the team
What we’re looking for:
Essential:
- Proven senior‑level payroll experience, ideally in a large or complex organisation
- CIPP qualified (degree level) or actively working towards it
- Strong, up‑to‑date knowledge of UK payroll legislation, RTI, auto enrolment, NIC/PAYE, and pension schemes
- Experience processing and administering payrolls and pensions accurately and compliantly
- Proficiency in payroll systems and advanced Microsoft Excel (including building spreadsheets/databases for real‑time data analysis)
- Excellent numerical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interrogate data
- Confident in handling complex queries and providing direct support to stakeholders
- Strong organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload, work autonomously, meet strict deadlines, and maintain exceptional attention to detail
- Passionate, proactive mindset – willing to suggest improvements, challenge the status quo, and contribute flexibly when needed
- Excellent team player: collaborative, enthusiastic, takes ownership, shares ideas, and supports colleagues
Desirable:
- Experience with pension reconciliations, general ledger postings, and year‑end reporting
- Background in housing, social care, or not‑for‑profit sectors
- Familiarity with expense management processes
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel)
Senior Payroll Officer in Bracknell employer: G-NIUS
Join a well-established organisation in the housing sector that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive environment while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a hybrid working model in Bracknell. This role offers real ownership and the chance to make a meaningful impact within a dedicated finance team, ensuring compliance and driving process improvements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Payroll Officer in Bracknell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and payroll sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common payroll-related questions. Think about how you’d handle complex queries or process improvements. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with payroll systems, compliance, and any process improvements you've implemented. This can really set you apart from other candidates when you apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the Senior Payroll Officer role. It shows you're genuinely interested and proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Payroll Officer in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Payroll Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in payroll processing, compliance with UK legislation, and any specific achievements that showcase your skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your proactive mindset and willingness to suggest improvements – we love that!
Showcase Your Skills:Be sure to highlight your proficiency in payroll systems and advanced Excel skills. If you've worked on complex payrolls or pension schemes, let us know! We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running and contribute from day one.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at G-NIUS
✨Know Your Payroll Legislation
Make sure you brush up on UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, NIC, and RTI submissions. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but also understand the complexities involved in payroll processing.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've handled complex payroll queries or improved processes in your previous roles. This will help you illustrate your analytical skills and proactive mindset, which are crucial for a Senior Payroll Officer.
✨Showcase Your Technical Proficiency
Be ready to talk about your experience with payroll systems and advanced Excel skills. If you’ve built spreadsheets or databases for data analysis, mention specific projects where you used these skills to enhance payroll operations.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with a small finance team, highlight your teamwork experiences. Share instances where you’ve collaborated effectively, taken ownership of tasks, or contributed to team improvements to demonstrate that you’re a great fit for their culture.
