HR Pay Reward Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth

On behalf of Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), we are looking for a HR Pay and Reward Manager (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based in Southampton, 3 days per week onsite. Support the delivery of a large-scale payroll remediation programme by administering payments, producing employee communications, responding to queries, and ensuring compliance with statutory payroll requirements. The role requires strong payroll knowledge and the ability to explain complex calculations relating to pay, pensions, tax, National Insurance, statutory payments, holiday pay, and National Minimum Wage in a clear and accessible manner.

As a HR Pay and Reward Manager, your main responsibilities will be:

• Assist with the production and distribution of letters, emails, and other communications to approximately 3,000 individuals, explaining payment calculations and payment components including National Minimum Wage, Statutory Payments, Holiday Pay, and Pension contributions.
• Develop clear guidance, FAQs, briefing materials, and support documentation to help individuals understand the methodology and calculations used.
• Respond to and resolve queries relating to payroll calculations, pensions, statutory payments, holiday pay, tax, National Insurance, and National Minimum Wage compliance.
• Review and process supporting evidence for statutory payments, including sickness and maternity-related documentation, recalculate entitlements where required, and issue revised communications.
• Ensure all payments are accurately processed and issued in line with approved calculations and programme timelines.
• Liaise with HMRC, pension providers, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure correct tax, National Insurance, and pension arrangements are implemented.
• Produce draft guidance, policy documents, and employee-facing materials covering revised employment status determinations, pay-related matters, and statutory employment rights.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with payroll legislation, organisational policies, and data protection requirements.
• Support continuous improvement activities by identifying recurring issues and recommending process enhancements.

Essential:

• Experience of payroll administration, payroll remediation, or employee payment processing.
• Strong understanding of National Minimum Wage regulations, Holiday Pay calculations, Statutory Payments, PAYE tax, National Insurance, and workplace pensions.
• Experience dealing directly with employees or customers to resolve complex pay-related queries.
• Experience producing written guidance, FAQs, communications, or policy documentation.
• Experience working with payroll systems and large volumes of employee data.
• Understanding of HMRC payroll requirements and statutory obligations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex payroll calculations clearly.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and payment queries.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work effectively with external providers and regulatory bodies.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Desirable:

• CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll accreditation.
• Experience supporting payroll remediation, employment status reviews, or regulatory compliance programmes.
• Knowledge of public sector payroll processes and employment legislation.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident: As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, MCA guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.

Armed Forces Covenant: MCA guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: 'this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.'