Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll operations across the UK and Europe, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Join a fast-growing online retailer with an international presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive package, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in payroll governance and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-entity payroll management and strong knowledge of UK payroll regulations.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and career development.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a detail-driven payroll professional who thrives in a multi-entity, international environment? We’re partnering with a growing online retailer to appoint an experienced Payroll Specialist to take ownership of payroll operations across the UK and Europe. This is a pivotal role within People Operations, ensuring accurate, compliant and timely payroll delivery through close collaboration with outsourced providers.
If you’re confident navigating payroll regulations, managing pension and share schemes, and strengthening governance and controls - we’d love to hear from you.
The Role
You will oversee end-to-end payroll processing across all Group entities, acting as the primary contact for outsourced payroll providers and ensuring accuracy, compliance and robust sign-off controls. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role combining governance, provider management, pensions and share scheme administration, reporting, and process improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Payroll Management
- Oversee payroll across the UK, and several European countries
- Manage outsourced payroll providers to ensure service quality and compliance
- Review payroll inputs (starters, leavers, bonuses, benefits, statutory changes)
- Conduct thorough reconciliations and gross-to-net checks
- Ensure timely and accurate statutory submissions (PAYE, NIC, pensions and local equivalents)
- Pensions Administration
- Manage end-to-end UK auto-enrolment and pension contributions
- Liaise with pension providers to resolve queries and ensure compliance
- Support audits and annual scheme reviews
- Share Save (SAYE) Administration
- Administer payroll deductions and reconciliation for employee share schemes
- Maintain accurate participant records
- Partner with Company Secretary, People and Finance on scheme launches and maturities
- Liaise with external scheme administrators to ensure accurate reporting
- Compliance & Governance
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UK and international payroll legislation
- Ensure GDPR compliance across payroll operations
- Support internal and external audits
- Strengthen internal controls, workflows and audit trails
- Collaboration & Process Improvement
- Partner with People and Finance to ensure clean HRIS-to-payroll data flow
- Build and document end-to-end payroll process maps
- Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency
- Support payroll provider transitions and system improvements as the Group grows internationally
- Reporting & Analysis
- Prepare payroll reports and analytics
- Provide payroll cost data for budgeting and forecasting
- Track and improve payroll KPIs (accuracy, timeliness, compliance)
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience managing multi-entity, multi-country payrolls
- Strong UK payroll expertise (PAYE, NIC, pensions, HMRC reporting)
- Exposure to European payroll frameworks
- Experience managing outsourced payroll providers
- Solid pensions and share save scheme administration experience
- Ability to build clear process documentation and controls
- Strong Excel and HRIS capability
- Payroll qualification (e.g. CIPP) preferred
Key Attributes
- Collaborative and proactive
- High integrity and discretion
- Strong communicator able to simplify complex payroll matters
- Process-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing, international online business where payroll accuracy, governance and operational excellence are critical to business success. Apply directly or message me for a confidential conversation.
Payroll Specialist in London employer: Middlemore
Contact Detail:
Middlemore Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Payroll Specialist role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your LinkedIn game on point! Make sure your profile is up-to-date, showcasing your payroll expertise and experience. Join relevant groups and engage with posts to increase your visibility in the payroll community.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK and European payroll regulations. Be ready to discuss how you've managed payroll processes in the past and share examples of how you've improved efficiency or compliance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for the role right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Specialist role. Highlight your experience with multi-entity payrolls and any specific software or systems you've used. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Show Your Compliance Knowledge: Since compliance is key in this role, don’t forget to mention your understanding of UK and international payroll legislation. We love candidates who can navigate these regulations with ease, so let that shine through in your application.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate a straightforward approach that highlights your relevant experience without unnecessary fluff. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate complex payroll matters simply!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive, which is a quality we value!
How to prepare for a job interview at Middlemore
✨Know Your Payroll Regulations
Brush up on UK and European payroll regulations before your interview. Being able to discuss specific laws and compliance measures will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics, but that you’re ready to take ownership of payroll operations.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Outsourced Providers
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with outsourced payroll providers. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your ability to ensure service quality and compliance.
✨Demonstrate Your Process Improvement Mindset
Think of instances where you identified inefficiencies in payroll processes and implemented improvements. Be ready to discuss these examples, as they will illustrate your proactive approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Excel at Excel
Since strong Excel skills are crucial for this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis and reporting. If possible, bring along examples of reports or analyses you've created to showcase your capabilities.