People & Payroll Specialist

Company Description

About us

Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day. We're home to more than 120 brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star. It’s our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us Britain and Ireland’s largest commercial news publisher. We reach around 70% of the UK's online population, 10% of the US online population, and over 100 million social followers around the world, connecting with them on who they are, where they live and what they love.

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we’re much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do. We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore. We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

Job Description

What the role involves

This is not your typical payroll data‑entry job. We are looking for a process‑driven People & Payroll Coordinator to ensure the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll services for circa 3,000 employees. Working closely with HR and Finance, you won’t just input data—your focus will be on processing outputs, rectifying discrepancies, managing complex manual calculations, and resolving employee queries directly.

• Key Duties

• Stakeholder & Query Management: Partner closely with our third‑party provider (Zellis) and Internal expenses, benefits and pensions team, fix payroll discrepancies, and resolve employee queries directly via email and video.
• Complex Calculations: Handle intricate manual calculations for company car schemes, health cash plans, deductions, and lifecycle changes (back pay, terminations, statutory leave).
• Benefits & Pensions: Prepare and administer payroll data for company pensions (including auto‑enrollment), flexible benefits, and employee expenses.
• Compliance & Data: Maintain system records, process statutory forms (P45s, court orders), manage overpayments, and ensure strict audit compliance.

• Qualifications

• Key Skills & Experience

• UK Payroll Expertise: Solid experience in payroll administration with a strong working knowledge of UK legislation (PAYE, NI, and statutory entitlements).
• Advanced Numerical Skills: Comfort performing complex manual calculations and a natural knack for spotting data errors.
• Communication & Discretion: Ability to explain complex tax or payroll details clearly and professionally to employees, while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Systems (Desirable): Prior experience working with Zellis or a similar outsourced payroll platform is highly preferred.

Additional Information

How we’ll look after you

We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you’ll get a range of benefits, including:

• 25 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays), as well as an extra day after you’ve been with us for three, five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.
• An extra day’s paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.
• Big moment day - an extra day’s paid leave for a moment that matters to you - like getting married, moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!).
• Help saving for your retirement - we’ll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.
• Supportive and progressive people policies – we’re proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression.
• A healthcare cash plan – giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor’s appointments.
• Car lease scheme – you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice.
• Wellbeing support – including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.
• Financial Wellbeing – Access Stream, our app for managing your finances, pay, rewards and benefits all in one place.
• Access to lots of discounts – including 15% off with Reach’s very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.
• Interest‑free loans – including for season tickets and technology.

If you’re excited about this role but don’t tick every single box, please don’t let that stop you from applying. We know that everyone has their own story to tell, and we value potential, passion and the perspectives that different backgrounds bring to our work. Diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and help us better serve our audiences, which is why we’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and supported.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair and welcoming to all, without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.