Payroll Delivery Specialist - Full Time Contract Ending in December 2026 in Northampton

hackajob is collaborating with Barclays to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. In this Payroll Specialist role you will manage end‑to‑end payroll activities for a portfolio of European countries, with a strong focus on France and Belgium, ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of monthly payrolls. You will handle BAU payroll operations, including resolving customer queries, validating changes to employee pay, completing monthly controls, and supporting HR Operations teams to meet SLA commitments.

In addition to monthly responsibilities, you will carry out quarterly activities such as internal audits, reconciliation checks, and governance reviews. You will act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders and third‑party payroll providers, supporting system changes, maintaining documentation, and ensuring all time‑management, screening, and monthly sign‑off processes are completed accurately and on time. You will support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process optimisation opportunities, maintaining compliance standards, and contributing to the professionalisation of European payroll operations.

You will act with strong attention to detail, proactively managing risk events and overpayment recovery processes while ensuring all payroll controls are executed correctly. In this role, you will work closely with colleagues across HR and Payroll, collaborating respectfully within a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment. While not essential, the ability to speak French is beneficial. This position is ideal for someone eager to learn, comfortable navigating the complexities of European payroll (which differs significantly from UK payroll), and motivated by delivering high‑quality service.

To be successful as a Payroll Specialist – Full Time Contract, you should have experience with:

• Proven payroll experience, with solid European payroll delivery expertise.
• Ability to handle complex payroll issues, work under pressure, and meet strict deadlines.
• Prioritisation skills, self‑discipline, and motivation to succeed in a fast‑paced environment.
• Clear and confident communication with stakeholders at all levels.
• Attention to detail and accuracy during high‑volume periods.
• Experience using ADP system.

Other Highly Valued Skills Include:

• Experience using Workday.
• French communication skills (written and verbal) are desirable.
• Understanding of finance processes linked to payroll (e.g., reconciliations, audits).

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job‑specific technical skills. Your role will be based from our Northampton office.

Purpose of the role:

To manage payroll functions, including calculating employee pay, withholding taxes, and any other deductions, as well as maintaining accurate payroll records for the business.

Accountabilities:

• Processing of payroll for hourly, salaried, and commissioned employees, calculating tax and other contributions, withholding, and paying out as appropriate.
• Employee payroll record administration and troubleshooting.
• Guidance and support to employees on all payroll matters, including queries related to calculations of salaries and wages, overtime, bonuses, and commissions.
• Compliance related statutory filings including the management of the reply to Government institution notices related to all statutory obligations.
• Payroll statutory reporting and filing including liaison with relevant local tax authorities.

Analyst Expectations:

To perform prescribed activities in a timely manner and to a high standard consistently driving continuous improvement. Requires in‑depth technical knowledge and experience in their assigned area of expertise. Thorough understanding of the underlying principles and concepts within the area of expertise. They lead and supervise a team, guiding and supporting professional development, allocating work requirements and coordinating team resources.

If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others. OR for an individual contributor, they develop technical expertise in work area, acting as an advisor where appropriate.

Will have an impact on the work of related teams within the area. Partner with other functions and business areas. Takes responsibility for end results of a team’s operational processing and activities. Escalate breaches of policies / procedure appropriately. Take responsibility for embedding new policies/ procedures adopted due to risk mitigation. Advise and influence decision making within own area of expertise. Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work you own or contribute to. Deliver your work and areas of responsibility in line with relevant rules, regulation and codes of conduct.

Maintain and continually build an understanding of how own sub‑function integrates with function, alongside knowledge of the organisations products, services and processes within the function. Demonstrate understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub‑function. Make evaluative judgements based on the analysis of factual information, paying attention to detail. Resolve problems by identifying and selecting solutions through the application of acquired technical experience and will be guided by precedents.

Guide and persuade team members and communicate complex / sensitive information. Act as contact point for stakeholders outside of the immediate function, while building a network of contacts outside team and external to the organisation.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.