At a Glance
- Tasks: Process payroll accurately and resolve queries while supporting system transitions.
- Company: Dynamic organisation with a close-knit payroll team and exciting growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Flexible working, free parking, and competitive day rate of £200.
- Other info: Rolling contract with high likelihood of extension until November 2026.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative payroll journey in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in UK payroll processing and strong Excel skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join a business going through exciting payroll change! Rolling contract with high-likelihood to extend!
About Our Client
- Growing and highly acquisitive organisation
- Trading for over a decade, private equity backed
- Over 5,000 employees nationally
- Expansion into Ireland and wider Europe
- Close-knit payroll team
Job Description
- Deliver accurate and timely BAU payroll processing, ensuring full compliance and effective query resolution.
- Conduct parallel payroll runs, perform variance analysis, and validate outputs between legacy and new systems.
- Support data migration validation, UAT, and BAU acceptance activities for the new payroll platform.
- Identify discrepancies, troubleshoot issues, and provide feedback to implementation and technical teams.
- Maintain payroll controls, reconciliations, reporting, and documentation throughout the transition.
- Contribute to process improvements and assist with knowledge transfer to steady-state teams.
The Successful Applicant
- Happy to conduct a rolling, interim assignment.
- In a commutable distance of the office (and happy to come in on an ad hoc basis).
- Strong excel capability e.g. VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivots etc.
- Significant hands on UK end to end payroll processing experience.
- Proven background in working on payroll transitions, implementations etc.
- Comfortable working in a fast paced, project driven environment.
What’s on Offer
- Flexible working arrangement - full time but only in the office 1-2 days per week (Reading).
- Free on site parking.
- Easily accessible via public transport.
- Day rate: c. £200 per day (inclusive of holiday pay).
- Start Date: ASAP until c. Nov 2026.
- Adjustable start and finish times.
Payroll Specialist (inc. parallels) in Reading employer: Michael Page (UK)
Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding organisation that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture. As a Payroll Specialist, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, including the opportunity to work from home most days, while being part of a close-knit team dedicated to driving payroll excellence. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to significant payroll transformations within a supportive environment in Reading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist (inc. parallels) in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get ready for interviews by brushing up on your payroll knowledge. Be prepared to discuss your experience with end-to-end payroll processing and any transitions you've been part of. Show us you know your stuff!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting roles, and applying directly helps us get your application in front of the right people faster. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist (inc. parallels) in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Specialist role. Highlight your experience with payroll processing, especially any work you've done on transitions or implementations. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Excel Skills:Since strong Excel capability is a must, don’t forget to mention your experience with VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and pivot tables. We love seeing specific examples of how you've used these skills in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure you highlight your key achievements without fluff. This helps us see your value quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we’ll be able to track your application better. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page (UK)
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your UK payroll processing knowledge. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with end-to-end payroll, especially any transitions or implementations you've been involved in. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical skills to back it up.
✨Excel Skills Are Key
Since strong Excel capabilities are a must for this role, be prepared to demonstrate your skills. Think about examples where you've used VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, or pivot tables to solve problems or streamline processes. You might even want to bring a sample of your work to showcase your expertise.
✨Get Familiar with the New Payroll Platform
Research the new payroll platform mentioned in the job description. If you can, find out what systems they are transitioning from and to. Being able to discuss how you would approach data migration validation and UAT will impress the interviewers and show your proactive attitude.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about specific instances where you've identified discrepancies or troubleshot issues in payroll processing. Highlight your analytical skills and how you provided feedback to technical teams. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to process improvements and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
