At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll operations and ensure compliance with UK regulations while optimising our tech platform.
- Company: Join Rippling, a top startup revolutionising HR, IT, and Finance management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be the go-to expert in payroll and make a real impact on customer experience.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years of UK payroll experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
About Rippling
Rippling gives businesses one place to run HR, IT, and Finance. It brings together all of the workforce systems that are normally scattered across a company, like payroll, expenses, benefits, and computers. For the first time ever, you can manage and automate every part of the employee lifecycle in a single system.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced and technically profound payroll expert to step into the role of Payroll Lead. In this role, you will leverage your deep technical expertise to drive excellence within our global support organization. This is a mission‑critical position where you will serve as the ultimate subject‑matter expert (SME), bridging deep country‑specific payroll compliance with product functionality. You will leverage your 5–7 years of hands‑on payroll experience not to execute payroll, but to audit, verify, and validate how the Rippling system processes payroll for your country. You will be the crucial link between local regulatory compliance and our global technology platform, ensuring our processes are compliant, efficient, and robust. You will be responsible for ensuring superior customer support, driving product improvements through data‑driven insights, and proactively building a robust knowledge base for your expertise in the UK region. If you thrive at the intersection of complex payroll regulation and cutting‑edge SaaS technology, this role is for you.
Your primary mission is to optimize the system, enable our internal support teams, and serve as the final authority on complex payroll compliance product logic.
What You Will Do
- Be the regional expert for Global Payroll and HR solutions within your assigned customer region as part of our Support team.
- Develop and maintain clear, accurate country‑specific content, documentation, and FAQs to support both customers and internal teams.
- Analyze customer support interactions to identify trends and opportunities to improve the support experience.
- Partner with regional Product Managers to provide insights on support volume, customer feedback, and critical compliance concerns.
- Collaborate directly with Engineering, Product Managers, and Tax Ops to communicate compliance requirements, test new features, and ensure payroll logic is correctly built and maintained.
- Serve as a senior resource and point of escalation for Customer Support Specialists on complex, region‑specific payroll issues.
- Personally own and resolve the most challenging customer cases by leveraging your deep platform and country‑specific payroll expertise.
General Qualifications (Required for All Candidates)
- 5–7 years of hands‑on UK payroll experience, including full end‑to‑end processing.
- Prior experience within a global payroll provider or HR technology environment is strongly preferred.
- Deep knowledge of UK payroll regulations, including PAYE (Pay As You Earn), National Insurance (NI), Statutory Payments (SSP, SMP, etc.), and other deductions.
- Strong understanding of payroll processing, wage components, Benefits in Kind (BIK), and compliance reporting through HMRC.
- Strong client‑facing skills with experience managing enterprise customer relationships.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a proven ability to investigate and resolve complex payroll discrepancies.
- A passion for documentation and knowledge‑sharing.
- Exceptional communication skills and fluency in English (written and spoken).
- Experience working in a payroll provider, HR software company, or a large in‑house payroll function is highly preferred.
- Knowledge/experience with Irish or other EU payrolls would be highly advantageous.
Payroll SME / Lead (UK) employer: Rippling
Rippling is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer extensive opportunities for professional development and the chance to work at the forefront of HR and payroll technology. Located in San Francisco, our team enjoys a vibrant environment backed by significant investment, making it an exciting place to contribute to meaningful projects while ensuring compliance and efficiency in payroll processes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll SME / Lead (UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and HR tech space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings at companies like Rippling.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your hands-on payroll experience and how it relates to the role. Think of specific examples where you’ve tackled complex payroll issues or improved processes. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Get familiar with Rippling’s platform! Dive into their website and learn about their services. Understanding their product will not only impress interviewers but also help you articulate how your skills can enhance their global payroll solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on the chance to showcase your passion for payroll and compliance!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll SME / Lead (UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Lead role. Highlight your 5-7 years of hands-on UK payroll experience and any specific achievements that showcase your expertise in payroll compliance and technology.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for payroll, your understanding of UK regulations, and how you can contribute to our mission at Rippling.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex payroll issues in the past. We want to see your analytical skills in action and how you’ve improved processes or resolved discrepancies.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rippling
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK payroll regulations, especially PAYE and National Insurance. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re the expert they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex payroll discrepancies you've resolved in the past. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to handle challenging situations, which is crucial for this role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Rippling
Research Rippling’s platform and understand how it integrates payroll with HR and IT. Being knowledgeable about their system will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Think of insightful questions to ask about their global payroll processes and how they handle compliance. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
