Payroll Specialist in Peterborough

As a Payroll Specialist, you'll play a key role in ensuring employees and third parties are paid accurately and on time, delivering a compliant and efficient payroll service that supports a positive employee experience. Working as part of the wider HR team, you'll manage end-to-end payroll activities, provide expert guidance on payroll processes and legislation, and build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the business. You'll also support continuous improvement initiatives, helping to enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and service delivery.

We're looking for a proactive payroll professional with strong payroll experience, excellent attention to detail, and a passion for delivering outstanding customer service. You'll be confident managing complex payroll processes, maintaining compliance, and using your expertise to drive best practice and positive change.

Key Responsibilities

• Process all payroll transactions, including starters, leavers, salary changes, overtime, allowances, sickness, statutory absences, court orders, and internal transfers.
• Review and validate payroll reports, ensuring the accuracy of employee pay, deductions, back pay, and corrections.
• Calculate and process payroll trial runs, reconciliations, and costing files, resolving any exceptions identified.
• Manage payroll reconciliations including Net Pay, PAYE, pension contributions, and third-party payments.
• Oversee the recovery of payroll overpayments, agreeing repayment plans with employees and liaising with third-party debt collection agencies where required.
• Coordinate year-end and year-start payroll activities, including compliance with statutory requirements such as P60s and P11Ds.
• Maintain accurate employee records while ensuring compliance with Data Protection, Employment Law, and HMRC regulations.
• Act as the payroll subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance on payroll legislation, systems, and best practice.
• Support payroll system upgrades, testing activities, and business change initiatives to ensure successful implementation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects that enhance payroll efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, work instructions, training materials, and user guides.
• Build strong working relationships with HR, Finance, senior leaders, and external organisations including HMRC and County Courts.
• Identify, manage, and escalate payroll risks and compliance issues as appropriate.
• Champion positive change and promote efficient payroll processes across the wider business.

Requirements

• Payroll administration experience covering end-to-end payroll processing.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, statutory payments, and payroll compliance requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• CIPP qualification or working towards a minimum Level 3 payroll qualification preferable.
• Experience supporting payroll operations for a large employee population.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Experience contributing to payroll process improvement or continuous improvement projects.

If you're a payroll professional who thrives on accuracy, enjoys solving complex payroll challenges, and is passionate about delivering an exceptional service, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Basic salary of up to £38,000, depending on experience.
• 25 days' annual leave + bank holidays (increases with service).
• Life assurance & pension scheme.
• Discounts on car purchase, servicing & more.
• Access to exclusive shopping and lifestyle perks.
• Full-time | 40 hours per week | Monday - Friday.