Payroll Projects Senior Assistant in Manchester

Workplace: Media City, Manchester + Hybrid (Minimum of 2 office-based days per week)

The team..

The People Payments team operates at the heart of ITV's HR and Finance operations, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across all legal entities.

We are a collaborative, customer-focused team dedicated to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and strong data governance.

Working closely with broader HR and Finance functions, our team manages end-to-end payroll data, supports critical project and compliance initiatives, and handles payroll cutover and hypercare activities in a fast-paced environment.

The role..

We're looking for a Payroll Projects Senior Assistant to join our team on a 10-month fixed-term contract basis.

Reporting directly to the Payroll Project & Compliance Manager, you will play a crucial role in supporting payroll project and compliance activities, with a primary focus on the M&E Payroll.

In this varied and detail-driven role, you will be responsible for supporting the accurate and timely processing of payroll data and payments across all ITV legal entities.

You will execute end-to-end payroll transactions, perform reconciliations, carry out User Acceptance Testing (UAT), maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and manage payroll-related queries via our helpdesk and shared inboxes.

Some of your key day to day responsibilities will include

• Processing payroll-related transactions, including new starters, leavers, employee movements, variable pay, bonuses, overtime, freelancer contract payments, VAT, salary adjustments, and temporary responsibility payments.
• Calculating and processing family leave, secondments, sabbaticals, pension-related adjustments, overpayment recoveries, and retroactive post-payroll analysis.
• Conducting UAT, payroll comparison testing, and output validation to ensure data accuracy during system changes and project implementations.
• Supporting payroll cutover activities and providing hypercare support following implementation.
• Drafting, maintaining, and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process notes, and supporting operational documentation.
• Performing data quality control checks, conducting regular data cleansing activities, and reviewing third-party reports within agreed timescales.
• Managing and resolving employee and manager queries received via the Payroll Inbox, Fusion Helpdesk, and telephone in a professional, customer-focused manner.
• Collaborating cross-functionally with the People Payments team, HR, and Finance to ensure service continuity in line with established SLAs and controls.

Skills you’ll need

• (minimum criteria)
• 5 GCSEs at grades A-C including English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Recent experience in an administrative or support position, preferably within payroll, finance, or high-volume payment processing environments.
• Accurate, high-speed data entry skills with high attention to detail, proficient in Microsoft Word/Excel or Google Docs/Sheets.
• Confident handling of confidential and sensitive information with a sound understanding of GDPR and data protection regulations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with proven experience logging, tracking, and resolving queries professionally.
• Familiarity with basic accounting principles and comfort working within established policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Other things we're looking for (key criteria)
• Previous experience processing end-to-end payroll, alongside familiarity with Oracle Fusion or similar HCM/bespoke payment systems.
• Knowledge and awareness of current payroll legislation (e. g., HMRC rules, Data Protection, Employment Rights).
• Experience conducting UAT testing, comparison testing, and supporting query escalation processes.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with a positive, adaptable mindset when managing changing priorities under deadline pressure.
• Track record of working collaboratively with stakeholders across different departments in a complex or large organisation.
• Potential Challenges
• May require occasional travel within the UK.
• Requires flexibility in working hours during peak payroll cycles and critical project deliverables.
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