At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll and pensions, ensuring compliance and accuracy in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a well-established organisation in the housing sector with a supportive finance team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Take ownership of payroll processes and drive improvements while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven payroll experience, CIPP qualified or working towards it, and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 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 - Goodman Masson in Bracknell employer: Goodman Masson
Goodman Masson is an exceptional employer that values its employees by fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture in Bracknell. With a focus on professional growth, the company offers comprehensive benefits and opportunities for continuous improvement, ensuring that team members can thrive in their roles while contributing to meaningful projects within the housing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Payroll Officer - Goodman Masson 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 questions related to payroll and pensions. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. 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 achievements in payroll management, compliance, and process improvements. This can set you apart from other candidates and give potential employers a clear picture of what you 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 noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you that Senior Payroll Officer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Payroll Officer - Goodman Masson 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, and any specific systems you've worked with. We want to see how your skills match 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 passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your proactive mindset and willingness to suggest improvements – we love that!
Show Off Your Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills. Give examples of how you've handled complex payroll queries or contributed to process improvements in previous roles. We’re all about accuracy and efficiency here at StudySmarter!
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’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Goodman Masson
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've handled complex payroll queries or improved processes in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your proactive mindset, which are crucial for a Senior Payroll Officer.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Company
Research Goodman Masson and their approach to payroll and pensions. Understanding their values and how they operate will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be handling stakeholder queries, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Role-playing common scenarios can help you feel more prepared to answer questions effectively during the interview.
