Payroll Specialist in Hulme

A leading organisation in Manchester is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join their dedicated People Services team. This role offers you the opportunity to work within a supportive and inclusive environment, where your expertise in payroll and HR will be valued and nurtured.

You will play a pivotal part in ensuring accurate payroll cycles, compliance with UK legislation, and seamless integration between payroll and HR systems. As a Payroll Specialist based in Manchester, you will be responsible for overseeing end-to-end payroll operations across multiple cycles.

• Your day-to-day activities will involve verifying data integrity before each run, resolving discrepancies swiftly, producing insightful reports for Finance teams, and ensuring strict adherence to UK payroll legislation.
• You will also act as the primary contact for complex queries, offering considerate guidance, and conduct audits to maintain compliance.
• Manage multiple payroll cycles with precision, ensuring all starters, leavers, amendments, and ad-hoc pay runs are processed accurately and on time.
• Verify payroll data meticulously before each run, troubleshooting discrepancies and maintaining clear documentation for audits and compliance purposes.
• Ensure full compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments (SSP/SMP), HMRC regulations, Auto Enrolment pensions, and year-end duties such as P60s and P11Ds.
• Produce detailed payroll reports, explain variances clearly to stakeholders, and collaborate closely with Finance for accurate month-end processes.
• Stay updated on legislative changes affecting payroll and implement them effectively across all relevant systems and procedures.
• Act as the main point of contact for complex payroll queries from employees or management, providing empathetic support and clear guidance.
• Conduct regular audits and risk assessments to ensure ongoing compliance with employment law and best practice standards.
• Support annual salary reviews and bonus processes within the HRIS system, ensuring accurate cost allocation for employee benefits.
• Manage the employee self-service benefits platform, ensuring correct payroll cost allocation annually for all employees.
• Lead or support projects related to payroll optimisation, compliance enhancements, HR initiatives, system improvements, testing new HRIS functionality, gender pay gap analysis, salary benchmarking, and change management.

The ideal Payroll Specialist brings extensive experience managing high-volume UK payroll cycles, demonstrating deep familiarity with relevant legislation such as PAYE or Auto Enrolment. Your proven track record includes handling complex processes involving BACS payments, pension schemes (including salary sacrifice), benefits administration, and seamless integration between finance/pension systems.

You possess exceptional numerical acumen coupled with analytical prowess, enabling you to identify discrepancies swiftly while maintaining rigorous attention to detail. Your interpersonal strengths shine through when communicating variances or resolving queries empathetically; you understand the importance of discretion when handling sensitive information.

Adaptability is key: you thrive amid shifting priorities by proactively seeking solutions that benefit both employees and business objectives. Additionally, your understanding of retail operations allows you to appreciate how effective HR practices drive organisational success. Your expertise extends into employment law application, ensuring every process aligns with best practice standards.

Minimum 5 years' experience managing complex high-volume payroll processes within the UK; certified or qualified by experience. Comprehensive knowledge of UK payroll legislation including PAYE, NICs, Auto Enrolment pensions schemes; proven ability to stay current with regulatory changes. Expertise in BACS processing methods as well as pension schemes (including salary sacrifice) and benefits in kind administration. Familiarity with interfaces between payroll systems and finance/pension platforms; able to troubleshoot integration issues efficiently.

Exceptional numerical skills paired with strong analytical abilities; meticulous attention to detail when handling sensitive data. Excellent communication skills combined with warm interpersonal abilities; adept at explaining variances or resolving queries considerately. Demonstrated discretion when dealing with confidential information; commitment to ethical standards of privacy and security.

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace where every team member's contribution is valued. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements that accommodate personal needs alongside professional responsibilities, promoting a healthy work-life balance. Generous pension contributions reflect the company's dedication to long-term financial wellbeing for staff members.

Comprehensive training opportunities are available throughout your tenure, empowering you to continually develop new skills while advancing your career within a supportive network of knowledgeable colleagues. The leadership team prioritises collaboration over hierarchy; decisions are made communally so everyone feels connected to shared goals.

With a focus on nurturing talent from under-represented backgrounds and promoting communal growth leadership principles across departments, the company ensures that every voice is heard. By joining this organisation as a Payroll Specialist, you become part of a culture that values empathy, dependability, co-operation, and above all, a genuine commitment to employee welfare.

If you are ready to bring your expertise in payroll management into an environment that values collaboration and professional growth, this is your opportunity!