Payroll Specialist in Witney

Are you an experienced payroll professional who enjoys solving complex payroll issues, strengthening controls and improving the way payroll is delivered? Do you have strong UK payroll knowledge alongside experience working with EMEA or multi-country payrolls?

We’re looking for a Payroll Specialist to support payroll activities across Europe and Africa. You will be linked to our Long Hanborough office, near Oxford, on a hybrid basis, working as part of a payroll team based across Europe and Africa. You’ll take responsibility for advanced payroll validation, audits, reconciliations and compliance reviews, while working closely with HR, Finance, Legal and external providers. You’ll also help improve controls, documentation and systems, and provide guidance to other members of the payroll team. What We Offer: A Varied Payroll Role:

Work across complex payroll scenarios, validation, compliance, controls, reporting and continuous improvement.

Multi-Country Exposure:

Support payroll activities across Europe and Africa, developing your experience within an international environment.

Technical Payroll Responsibility:

Act as a point of reference for payroll processes and escalations, applying your knowledge to resolve complex issues.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with HR, Finance, Legal and external payroll providers on operational payroll matters, projects and improvement initiatives.

Opportunity to Improve Processes:

Help drive automation, standardisation and stronger payroll controls, documentation and ways of working.

Project Exposure:

Lead or support payroll projects, system upgrades and provider transitions across multiple countries.

Support and Knowledge Sharing:

Provide guidance to other members of the payroll team and help build consistency and capability across the function.

Responsibilities

Including

, but not limited to: Perform advanced payroll validation and manage complex payroll scenarios.

Review and validate new hire, absence, leave and termination data before payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Ensure statutory termination documentation is prepared, validated and issued in line with legal and internal requirements.

Act as a technical reference point for payroll processes, queries and escalations.

Lead payroll audits, reconciliations and compliance reviews.

Develop and maintain payroll controls, process documentation and standard operating procedures.

Monitor payroll KPIs and prepare analytical reports for leadership.

Collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal and external providers on payroll matters and strategic initiatives.

Provide guidance and knowledge support to Payroll Specialist I team members.

Drive process improvement, automation and standardisation initiatives.

Lead or support multi-country payroll projects, system upgrades and payroll provider transitions.

Support change management and the effective adoption of new payroll processes.

Qualifications

Relevant payroll experience, including responsibility for complex payroll activities. Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, compliance and controls. Experience supporting EMEA, international or multi-country payrolls. Experience handling complex payroll scenarios, validation, reconciliations and audits. Strong analytical, problem-solving and auditing skills. High proficiency in payroll systems, HRIS platforms and Excel or other analytical tools. Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage sensitive and time-critical information accurately. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the confidence to work with internal stakeholders and external payroll providers. Proficiency in English. Knowledge of payroll requirements in additional countries and proficiency in other languages would be advantageous. Our Mission & Culture: Since 1944, NSF’s mission has been to protect and advance human health. Today, thousands of team members around the world work together to deliver that mission, bringing expertise across science, engineering, environmental and public health disciplines. Our culture and the wellbeing of our people are central to how we work, serve our clients and grow our business. We are guided by four core values: Do the Right Thing:

We act with honesty, integrity and a commitment to science. Treat People Well:

We create an inclusive workplace where people are treated with respect, dignity and professionalism, and where different perspectives, ideas and expertise are valued. Relentlessly Pursue Excellence:

We are committed to quality, continual improvement and empowering our people to think boldly. We are One NSF:

We collaborate, solve problems and deliver results together, recognising that every team member plays an important role in fulfilling our mission.

Apply now and send us your CV and cover letter. Come join our team, we look forward to hearing from you! #LI-JW1 With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life. One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we’re one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work. Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org. NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability. Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

We are committed to attracting and retaining world class talent at NSF. We enable team members to Grow, Perform, Lead and Navigate their careers at NSF.