Senior Payroll & Benefits Officer

Your Mission

This role demands comprehensive ownership and expert guidance in delivering a high-quality, timely, accurate, and fully compliant monthly payroll cycle for 12 UK payrolls, impacting over 1500 employees.

You will act as a key subject matter expert, proactively engaging with the HR team to support the attainment of broader departmental and organisational objectives.

A core responsibility will be to champion and maintain unparalleled accuracy and data integrity across all payroll operations, UK benefits, systems, and tools, guaranteeing their seamless and efficient functionality.

Your Mission

This role demands comprehensive ownership and expert guidance in delivering a high-quality, timely, accurate, and fully compliant monthly payroll cycle for 12 UK payrolls, impacting over 1500 employees.

You will act as a key subject matter expert, proactively engaging with the HR team to support the attainment of broader departmental and organisational objectives.

A core responsibility will be to champion and maintain unparalleled accuracy and data integrity across all payroll operations, UK benefits, systems, and tools, guaranteeing their seamless and efficient functionality.

HOW WILL YOU MAKE AN IMPACT?

• Lead liaison with HR and other relevant departments to ensure the timely receipt and validation of critical information, ensuring full compliance with legislative and audit requirements for accurate payroll processing.
• Oversee and validate the correct processing of all integrated changes via Workday, including starters, leavers, and job changes, ensuring accuracy in payroll and payslip simulations.
• Ensure the accurate and compliant processing of complex payroll elements such as unpaid sickness and absences, maternity, paternity, variable cash and hours payments, and benefits.
• Be the guarantor of data integrity, ensuring Workday (WD) data integration to SAP HR is correct and driving initiatives to ensure correct and up-to-date information is logged (where outside of WD) to facilitate error-free monthly payroll processing and the successful operation of associated tools.
• Oversee and validate all system changes, ensuring appropriate communication and confirmation to employees, managers, and providers.
• Proactively monitor and log upcoming events, ensuring timely action, follow up review and planning.
• Proactively monitor, interpret, and advise on legislative changes impacting payroll and benefits, assisting with the implementation of necessary adjustments in collaboration with the HR team.
• Manage and oversee monthly reporting to benefit providers, including joiners, leavers, and amendments to company benefits, and lead annual renewal processes.
• Assist with end-to-end processing of complex payroll elements and oversee the accurate and timely processing of all monthly payrolls.
• Provide expert guidance and support to employees on complex queries related to Pay, Benefits, Tax, NI, leveraging internal resources including our Intranet and Payroll FAQs.
• Undertake ad-hoc projects and duties as required to support the wider HRIS / Payroll, HR and Finance functions, contributing to strategic initiatives.

HOW WILL YOU EXPERIENCE SUCCESS WITH US?

• Exceptional time management and organisational skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities, work autonomously, and consistently meet stringent deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to data integrity and accuracy.
• In-depth, expert-level understanding and practical application of UK PAYE legislation, statutory compliance, HMRC regulations and Group guidelines.
• Highly collaborative team player with the ability to thrive under pressure, consistently meet tight deadlines, and mentor junior team members.
• Proven ability to identify, propose, and support the implementation of continuous process improvements and efficiencies within payroll and benefits.
• Extensive experience with HRIS (SAP HR and Workday highly preferred) and advanced proficiency in Excel for complex data analysis, reporting, and modelling.
• Comprehensive and expert-level technical knowledge of UK payroll processes, legislation (including statutory compliance, taxation, and financial reporting), and benefits administration.
• Extensive experience in managing auto-enrolment pension processes and comprehensive benefits administration, including annual renewals and provider liaison.
• Strong commercial acumen with a strategic focus on adding value to the Payroll and HR functions through efficient and compliant operations.
• Proactive and analytical problem-solver, capable of resolving complex payroll and benefits issues independently and providing sound recommendations.
• Numerate, logical and able to present ideas clearly to those less numerate, and with excellent analytical & workflow/process skills.
• Exceptional workflow/process skills and the ability to articulate complex financial and legislative information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Highly collaborative and astute, with a deep understanding of complex organisational dynamics and a proven ability to foster cross-functional collaboration towards shared objectives.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, capable of engaging effectively with all levels of the organisation and external stakeholders.
• Minimum of 5-7 years' progressive experience in UK payroll and benefits, preferably within a large, multi-brand, or retail environment.
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