Trainee Payroll Manager

About The Role

JOB TITLE: Trainee Payroll Administrator

REPORTING TO: Payroll Manager
DIVISION: Central – Support Services
LOCATION: Hillsborough, Northern Ireland
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent
BENEFITS: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 35 days holiday (incl. Bank Holidays), Subsidised Healthcare scheme

Job Summary
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our Payroll team as a Trainee Payroll Administrator. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start or develop a career in payroll within a dynamic and supportive environment. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the position will be key in providing a professional and efficient payroll service to GRAHAM\’s employees and managers.

The Trainee Payroll Administrator will primarily provide administrative support to our UK and Ireland employees, including accurate entry and processing of timesheets and expenses. The role also involves general departmental administration and serving as a key point of contact for payroll-related employee queries. Comprehensive on the job training in all aspects of Payroll will be provided in house and Professional body courses when necessary.

We feel that this role would be the perfect opportunity for a recent school leaver, a graduate, or someone looking advancement within payroll – If this is you, we invite you to apply for an entry-level opportunity at Graham Payroll, a role designed to grow into a fulfilling and progressive career.

Job Description
The Trainee Payroll Administrator will primarily be trained on:

• UK and Republic of Ireland payroll systems and legislation
• Weekly payroll processing and timesheet management
• Handling employee queries and providing payroll-related support
• Expense processing procedures and compliance
• Payroll software and internal systems used across the business
• Data entry, accuracy checks, and reporting
• Confidentiality and data protection best practices
• Preparation for professional qualifications, including CIPP accreditation

This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged for the Trainee Payroll Administrator and the range of duties to be undertaken. It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals.

Personal Specification
Competencies
Essential

• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills
• A genuine interest in payroll, finance, or administrative work
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Effective communication skills—written, verbal, and virtual
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and manage workload efficiently
• Adaptability and willingness to embrace change
• GCSEs in Maths and English at grade C or above (or equivalent)
• Flexibility for occasional travel, across the UK and Ireland

Desirable

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Previous experience in a payroll or finance-related role
• Familiarity with digital management systems
• Knowledge of Republic of Ireland payrolls
• Knowledge of UK based payroll

Additional Information

• The role is located at our Hillsborough Head Office
• Some travel to other sites may be necessary
• The role operates on a hybrid basis, subject to change depending on operational requirements.

Behavioural Competencies
Effective Communication

• Able to tailor communication appropriately for different audiences, whether verbal, written, or virtual
• Confident in drafting professional emails for internal stakeholders and external bodies
• Consistently presents a professional image that reflects positively on the department and the wider company

Initiative

• Demonstrates the ability to work independently and deliver results efficiently
• Recognises when to seek support to ensure deadlines and standards are met
• Proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement and taking ownership of tasks

Team Player

• Willingly supports colleagues and contributes to shared goals
• Collaborates effectively and uses influence to resolve issues constructively
• Shows honesty, loyalty, and commitment in all interactions and responsibilities

Our commitment
At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences.

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us at:

• Email: hr-
• Phone:

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager, at:

• Email:
• Phone:

We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK, should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance.

A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request.

GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant\’s experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information. Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or if already in employment potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.