At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll for UK and expat employees, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
- Company: Global Investment Bank with a focus on payroll transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work model, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and exposure to global payroll operations.
- Why this job: Take ownership of payroll processes and make an immediate impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years UK payroll experience and ability to handle complex queries.
A global Investment Bank is scaling its payroll function across London, Dublin, and expat populations. You will help support a live transition of expat payroll in-house and a wider payroll harmonisation programme — critical work with immediate impact.
This is a high-impact payroll position with ownership across multiple jurisdictions:
- Run UK payroll end-to-end (~2,000 employees)
- Support Dublin (EY managed) + expat payroll (~300 employees)
- Handle complex queries, exceptions, and payroll accuracy
- Work across SD Worx, SuccessFactors, and ServiceNow
- Contribute to payroll transformation and process improvement
- Partner with HR, Finance, and tax advisors
What you'll need:
- 5+ years UK payroll experience (essential)
- Strong in high-volume, complex environments
- Confident handling queries without reliance on others
- Expat / global mobility payroll (nice to have)
- Systems: SD Worx, SuccessFactors or ServiceNow (bonus)
- Financial services preferred (not essential)
Why This Role:
- Immediate ownership in a complex, multi-country setup
- Exposure to expat payroll and transformation work
- High likelihood of extension / potential perm route
- Strong autonomy — trusted to deliver from day one
To apply – click the link or email for a faster response.
Payroll Specialist in London employer: Harrington Starr
Join a leading high-volume futures trading organisation in London, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability of critical trading and clearing platforms. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, this company offers competitive daily rates and long-term contract opportunities, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the capital markets sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist in London
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Harrington Starr.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Harrington Starr might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Harrington Starr will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Harrington Starr. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Harrington Starr confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrington Starr
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Harrington Starr.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Harrington Starr that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
