Payroll Specialist

Pax8 is hiring for a Payroll Specialist based in our Bristol, Derby or Farnborough office, supporting payroll across the EMEA region. Payroll only gets noticed when it goes wrong… That’s what makes this role interesting. You’ll keep a multi-country payroll engine running with accuracy, calm and rigour across EMEA, while also spotting where the old manual ways of working should quietly disappear. This is a role for someone who likes complexity, can see the weak point in a process from a mile off, and gets an abnormal amount of satisfaction from making critical things work beautifully.

Our culture and what it feels like here At Pax8, we blend innovation with genuine human connection. You'll be part of a diverse, collaborative payroll function that thrives on curiosity, ownership, and continuous improvement.

What you’ll be doing:

• Own the full payroll lifecycle across multiple countries, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance every cycle.
• Manage payroll calendars, inputs, validations, and approvals with confidence and precision.
• Review provider outputs, identify discrepancies, and proactively resolve issues.
• Stay ahead of legislation, ensuring payroll aligns with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Partner closely with People Operations, Finance, and external vendors to deliver a seamless payroll experience.
• Drive process improvements, automation initiatives, and efficiencies across payroll operations.
• Maintain clear documentation and support system improvements and testing.
• Act as a trusted payroll subject matter expert across EMEA.

The impact you’ll make:

You’ll play a crucial role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time — every time. Beyond that, you’ll help modernise payroll operations, reduce manual processes, and bring greater scalability and efficiency to how Pax8 supports its global teams.

What you’ll bring:

• Demonstrated experience delivering end‑to‑end payroll across multiple countries.
• Substantial knowledge of payroll legislation, tax, and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage payroll providers and external partners effectively.
• Advanced capability in data analysis, reconciliation, and payroll systems.
• Experience with modern payroll platforms such as Workday or similar tools.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with confidence explaining payroll concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• A proactive mindset with a passion for improvement, automation, and accuracy.

Inclusivity matters: We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet 100% of the criteria. We're committed to diverse perspectives, inclusive hiring and sharing your transferrable skills. To fulfil this role, you must hold valid right to work in United Kingdom.

Your working environment: Our UK offices provide a collaborative and vibrant environment designed to support connection, creativity, and flexibility. With a hybrid working model, you’ll have the balance of in‑office collaboration and remote focus time, supported by modern technology and spaces built for teamwork and innovation.

Grow with us: There's extensive room for a talented individual to grow at pace — whether that's advancing quickly in this role or exploring one of the many opportunities across our global organisation. You'll have access to our internal development hub designed to accelerate your skills and stretch your potential.

Background checks: As part of our hiring process, we are required to undertake pre‑employment checks on all candidates that are successful in their application with Pax8.

Benefits:

• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Flexible working opportunities
• Learning and development support
• Recognition and reward programmes