At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll processing in a dynamic higher education environment and ensure compliance.
- Company: Join Robert Half, a leader in recruitment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive pay rates and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT teams in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting a diverse workforce and enhancing payroll processes.
- Qualifications: 10+ years of payroll experience, ideally in complex organisations or higher education.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Robert Half is supporting a higher education client during an Oracle Fusion implementation and requires a Payroll SME to join them for the next 6 months. This role will primarily focus on BAU payroll processing, enabling the current incumbent to concentrate fully on the Oracle Fusion implementation. You will operate in a complex, multi-payroll environment, supporting a large and diverse workforce including academic staff, professional services, researchers, hourly-paid staff, and contractors.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end BAU payroll processing across a complex higher education environment
- Ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery, including statutory deductions, pensions, benefits, and reporting
- Manage complex payroll scenarios including multiple contracts, variable pay, term-time working, hourly-paid staff, overtime, and allowances
- Work closely with HR, Finance, and Systems teams to resolve payroll queries, reconciliations, and data issues
- Support parallel running, data validation, and testing activities where required during the Oracle Fusion implementation
- Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, employment legislation, and university-specific policies
- Provide expert-level support for process improvement, controls, and documentation
Required Experience:
- 10+ years' experience as a Payroll SME within large, complex organisations
- Strong Oracle payroll experience (Fusion highly desirable)
- Recent experience within higher education or similarly complex public-sector environments
- Proven background managing high-volume, multi-contract payrolls
- Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, pensions, statutory payments, and compliance
- Confident stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work across HR, Finance, IT, and third-party suppliers
Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: gb/en/privacy-notice.
Payroll Officer in London employer: Robert Half
At Robert Half, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for our Payroll Officer role within the dynamic higher education sector. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion fosters a supportive work culture where employees can thrive and grow professionally, while our focus on complex payroll processing offers unique challenges and opportunities for skill enhancement. Join us in a collaborative environment that values your expertise and provides the chance to make a meaningful impact during the Oracle Fusion implementation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and higher education sectors. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your Oracle Fusion knowledge. We want you to be ready to showcase your expertise in payroll processing and compliance. Practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. We recommend mentioning something specific from the interview to keep you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team in making payroll processing smoother and more efficient.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Officer role. Highlight your experience with Oracle payroll systems and any specific achievements in managing complex payroll scenarios. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role, focusing on your 10+ years of experience and your understanding of UK payroll legislation. Let us know how you can contribute to our team!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your stakeholder engagement skills and your ability to work across different teams. We love candidates who can collaborate effectively, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Robert Half
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially around UK legislation and Oracle Fusion. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex payroll scenarios and how you've managed them in the past.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've engaged with different teams like HR, Finance, and IT. Highlight your ability to resolve queries and work collaboratively, as this role requires strong stakeholder engagement.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions about payroll processing and compliance. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, especially in a higher education or public-sector context.
✨Demonstrate Process Improvement Mindset
Come prepared to discuss any process improvements you've implemented in previous roles. This shows that you're not just about maintaining the status quo but are also keen on enhancing efficiency and compliance.
