Payroll and Timekeeping Lead

Job Purpose

The Payroll & Timewriting Lead is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and timekeeping operations across the organisation.

The role oversees end-to-end payroll processing, ensures adherence to statutory requirements, maintains high-quality data integrity, and provides expert guidance to managers and employees.

The postholder leads continuous improvement in payroll and timekeeping processes, working closely with HR, Finance, Commercial and operational teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Operations
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all employee groups (monthly, weekly, offshore, workshop, site, office).
• Ensure all salaries, allowances, overtime, shift premiums, bonuses, and deductions are processed accurately and on time.
• Validate payroll inputs including new starters, leavers, contractual changes, statutory payments, and benefits.
• Proactively manage the relationship with the payroll provider to ensure compliance with PAYE, NI, pensions, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Reconcile payroll outputs and collaborate with Finance and commercial as required.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure GDPR compliance.
• Timekeeping & Workforce Data
• Oversee time and attendance systems, ensuring accurate capture of hours, overtime, leave, and absence.
• Support operational leaders in resolving timekeeping discrepancies and ensuring compliance with working time rules.
• Conduct regular audits of timekeeping data to ensure accuracy and identify trends or issues.

Support Commercial Lead with monthly reconciliations queries.

• Leadership & Stakeholder Management
• Lead and develop the payroll/timekeeping team, providing coaching, training, and performance support.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll queries, providing expert advice on pay, allowances, and statutory entitlements.
• Build strong relationships with HR, Finance, operational managers, and external payroll providers.
• Compliance & Governance
• Ensure payroll and timekeeping processes comply with employment legislation, HMRC requirements, pension regulations, and internal policies, and are documented appropriately as BMS Level 3 Procedures and Level 4 Work Instructions.
• Maintain consistent application of terms and conditions across all employee groups.
• Support internal and external audits, providing documentation and explanations as required.
• Ensure Commercial terms are followed as instructed by Commercial Lead
• Continuous Improvement
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll and timekeeping processes, improve accuracy, and enhance employee experience.
• Lead system upgrades, configuration changes, and process enhancements.
• Produce accurate HR and payroll metrics for leadership reporting.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience in payroll leadership or senior payroll specialist roles.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, and pension administration.
• Experience managing time and attendance systems.
• High attention to detail and strong numerical accuracy.
• Ability to interpret complex pay rules and communicate them clearly and to problem solve efficiently.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication skills and team player.
• Experience coaching or supervising team members.
• Ability to write effective communication to the business and employees.
• Strong Commercial & Risk experience understanding all Contract Terms across business.

Desirable

• Experience in multi-site, operational, or offshore environments.
• Knowledge of reward structures, allowances, and shift-based pay.
• Experience with continuous improvement or system implementation projects.

Key Competencies

• Accuracy & Compliance
• Leadership & Team Development
• Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking
• Customer Service Orientation
• Confidentiality & Professional Integrity
• Process Improvement Mindset

Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are intended to provide an overview of the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this role.

It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

The role holder may be required to perform other duties as assigned, which are not listed here but are necessary to meet the business needs of the company.

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