Payroll Specialist

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Role Purpose

Based remotely, with occasional travel to our offices across the UK, the Payroll Specialist opportunity is offered on a 6 months contract basis with a potential to transition to permanent role. Within the role you will be supporting payroll team with day to day payroll tasks and monthly payroll processing for the UK, alongside the Payroll Manager. You will role model HR payroll best practice, establish credibility and trust with key stakeholders at all levels and support innovation – all in the context of a rapidly evolving and growing business.

Key Accountabilities

• Processing the monthly payroll for the UK.
• Ensure all payroll tasks are processed accurately, on time and conforming to UK legislation.
• Ensure authorised approvals are in place when making any changes affecting payroll.
• Maintaining approval documents for audit trail.
• Uploading the monthly Pensions data.
• Support with general enquiries from HMRC & staff at all levels.
• Provide payroll administration support for Benefits administration.
• To assist employees, HR Team, Line managers and the business with payroll queries/issues.
• To assist with HR issues including; Benefits (BUPA/Pension/Life Assurance/Season Ticket loans and Gym Membership), and Holidays.
• Absence Management including SSP, SMP, SAP etc.
• Maintain a positive and proactive approach to work, providing open and honest feedback.
• Provide a professional service to the business at all times.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience with the Workday Payroll application.
• Previously worked in an organisation with over 1,500 employees.
• Proven experience in a payroll position in a fast-paced environment required.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation.
• Strong computer literacy including Microsoft Office applications (V-look ups and Pivot tables).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:

• Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new.
• We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges.
• We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond.

Reasonable adjustments

We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours or hybrid working. If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.