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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll and incentives, ensuring accurate calculations and timely payments.
- Company: Fast-paced recruitment business with a high-performing finance team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for process improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on payroll processes and enhance employee satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll management, advanced Excel skills, and attention to detail.
- Other info: Opportunity to modernise payroll systems and work with innovative technology.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Payroll & Incentives Specialist to join our finance and payroll team within a fast-paced, high-performing recruitment business. You'll have primary responsibility for internal payroll for all permanent employees, alongside full ownership of bonus and commission calculations across the Group. You'll also support temporary payroll as a secondary area.
It's an exciting opportunity for someone who wants a hands-on operational role, with the scope to improve processes, enhance reporting, and help modernise how payroll and incentives are delivered using better systems and technology.
What you'll be doing
- Take full responsibility for bonus and commission delivery across the business, including:
- Owning monthly and quarterly bonus and commission calculations
- Interpreting recruitment incentive schemes accurately and consistently
- Producing clear bonus/commission statements and supporting documentation
- Ensuring all incentive payments are processed correctly, fairly, and on time
- Running the full internal payroll process each month
- Acting as the key point of contact for payroll queries and escalations
- Supporting month-end reporting, reconciliations, and compliance
- Playing a key role in the transition to a new external payroll software provider for the upcoming tax year
- Assisting with timesheet handling, payment accuracy, and query resolution
This role isn’t just about running payroll, it’s about improving it. You’ll be encouraged to:
- Identify opportunities to streamline payroll and incentive processes
- Support automation, reporting enhancements, and better controls
- Help adopt modern payroll systems and technology-enabled solutions, including AI tools where useful
What we’re looking for
- Experience managing internal payroll processes to strict deadlines
- Recruitment sector exposure, including complex bonus and commission structures
- Advanced Excel skills (complex formulas, pivots, data analysis)
- Strong attention to detail and confidence handling complex calculations
- A proactive mindset - someone who improves things, not just maintains them
- Experience supporting payroll system upgrades or implementations
- Solid knowledge of UK payroll compliance (PAYE, NI, pensions)
- An interest in automation, technology, and modernising operational processes
Why it’s worth doing
Payroll and incentives sit right at the heart of the business. This is a role with real ownership, real visibility, and real impact, ensuring people are paid accurately, rewarded properly, and supported with clear, professional delivery. If you enjoy operational responsibility, detail, and the opportunity to improve how things work, this is an excellent next step.
Payroll & Incentives Specialist in City of London employer: Goodman Masson
Contact Detail:
Goodman Masson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll & Incentives Specialist in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the recruitment and payroll sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities, and don't hesitate to ask for introductions or referrals. Personal recommendations can really give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their payroll processes and any recent changes they've made. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to improving their systems and technology.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to payroll management and process improvement. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you've streamlined processes or handled complex calculations.
✨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 about their job search and keen to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll & Incentives Specialist in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Payroll & Incentives Specialist. Highlight your experience with payroll processes, bonus calculations, and any relevant tech 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 payroll and incentives, and how your proactive mindset can help us improve our processes. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Excel Skills: Since advanced Excel skills are a must for this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your expertise. Mention specific projects where you've used complex formulas or data analysis. We’re keen to see how you can leverage these skills in our fast-paced environment!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Goodman Masson
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially around UK compliance, PAYE, and NI. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex calculations in the past, as this role demands a strong grasp of numbers.
✨Showcase Your Process Improvement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've streamlined payroll processes or implemented new systems. This role is all about improving operations, so demonstrating a proactive mindset will set you apart.
✨Excel Like a Pro
Since advanced Excel skills are crucial, be prepared to talk about your experience with complex formulas and data analysis. Maybe even bring a sample of your work if it’s relevant!
✨Understand the Recruitment Sector
Familiarise yourself with recruitment incentive schemes and bonus structures. Being able to interpret these accurately will show that you understand the business's needs and can hit the ground running.
