Payroll Specialist in Preston

Join SE First as a Payroll Specialist and take ownership of delivering seamless, end-to-end payroll across a dynamic and growing organisation.

This role is at the heart of ensuring accuracy, compliance, and data integrity, while introducing strong controls that reduce risk and elevate payroll operations.

With increasing scale and complexity, you’ll play a key role in shaping a consistent, auditable process and delivering an outstanding experience for every employee.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of end-to-end payroll processing across multiple payroll cycles
• Ensure all payroll inputs are accurate, approved, and delivered on time
• Manage complex calculations including salary changes, bonuses, commissions, statutory payments, and deductions
• Oversee all employee lifecycle changes, including starters, leavers, and amendments
• Lead year-end processes, ensuring accurate delivery of P60s, P11Ds, and benefit reporting
• Champion compliance with UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, NIC, and statutory requirements (SSP, SMP, SPP, etc.)
• Own all HMRC reporting (RTI submissions, FPS/EPS), ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Maintain audit-ready processes with clear documentation and strong controls
• Stay ahead of legislative changes, embedding best practice across payroll operations
• Support internal and external audits with confidence and precision
• Maintain high-quality payroll data across HRIS (Hi Bob) and payroll systems
• Reconcile payroll with People and Finance data, ensuring consistency and accuracy
• Proactively identify and resolve discrepancies
• Deliver reliable payroll data to support finance reporting and people insights
• Perform rigorous end-to-end payroll checks before final sign-off
• Embed and maintain strong controls to drive accuracy and minimise risk
• Quickly investigate and resolve payroll queries and issues
• Ensure consistent oversight across the payroll cycle to protect business operations
• Act as the go-to expert for payroll queries, providing clear and timely guidance
• Build strong relationships with employees, managers, and key stakeholders
• Manage external payroll providers, ensuring high service standards and accuracy
• Collaborate closely with People Operations and Finance teams
• Manage pension contributions and ensure compliance with auto-enrolment requirements
• Support payroll-related benefits administration, including salary sacrifice schemes
• Reconcile deductions, manage third-party payments, and ensure accurate reporting
• Identify opportunities to enhance payroll efficiency, accuracy, and experience
• Support system improvements and HRIS/payroll integration initiatives
• Contribute to wider People Operations improvement projects
• Play an active role in key initiatives such as system implementations, TUPE transfers, and policy changes
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