At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance while supporting employees.
- Company: Purpose-led organisation in the health and care sector with a focus on employee experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, free parking, and complimentary meals.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact on payroll accuracy and employee satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll, strong Excel skills, and knowledge of UK payroll legislation.
- Other info: Fixed-term contract until May 2026 with potential for permanent role.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 29000 Β£ per year.
Payroll Specialist β East Kent / Hybrid / Flexible working following training. 4 days will be considered.
Employment type: Fixed Term Contract (maternity cover until May 2026 with potential for permanent role)
Salary: Β£26,000 - Β£29,000 DOE + Bens
Are you a dedicated Payroll Specialist, with hands-on responsibility for payroll accuracy, including sickness, maternity, pro-rata calculations and corrections? Are you confident with Excel and data integrity? Are you available for a fixed-term contract until May 2026?
The opportunity: Payroll is outsourced; however, this is a true specialist role with internal ownership of payroll accuracy, controls and compliance. You will act as the subject matter expert for all payroll-related matters, managing day-to-day payroll activity, overseeing the relationship with the external payroll provider, and ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. This role will appeal to someone who enjoys operational payroll, values precision, and takes pride in delivering a dependable service within purpose-led organisations.
Key responsibilities:
- Managing day-to-day payroll processes, including sickness, maternity, unpaid leave, pro-rata calculations and pay corrections
- Overseeing monthly timesheet processing and maintaining accurate payroll change records
- Submitting payroll data to the external provider in line with agreed schedules
- Completing monthly payroll reconciliation and supporting final sign-off
- Running payroll and pension reports and ensuring month-end submissions
- Issuing P45s and final payslips to leavers
- Acting as a point of contact for payroll-related queries from HR and employees
Pensions:
- Managing pension submissions for new starters, leavers and retirees
- Maintaining compliance with auto-enrolment requirements
- Coordinating pension data and updates with external providers
About you:
- Experience in a payroll-focused role with strong payroll knowledge
- Sound understanding of UK statutory payroll legislation and employer liabilities
- Highly competent Excel user, comfortable working with complex data
- Confident communicator, able to explain payroll matters clearly to non-payroll stakeholders
- Well organised, self-motivated and comfortable working to deadlines
- Experience of NHS pensions is advantageous but not essential
Additional information:
- Fixed-term contract until 22 May 2026
- Hybrid / flexible working considered (role dependent)
- Values-led organisation with a strong focus on governance and employee care
- Free on-site parking
- Complimentary staff meals (Β£2.50)
- A friendly, supportive, and welcoming working environment
If this Payroll Specialist role looks of interest and you think you have got what it takes to make a success of the role, please forward your CV today to Cressida Courtney or follow the link and apply online.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond to every applicant individually. Please know that we carefully review each application and will reach out if your qualifications align with the vacancy.
To evaluate your suitability for the position, we'll process your CV and personal data. Should we find potential matches for other roles, we will seek your consent before registering your details in our database. For more information on how we handle personal data, please refer to our privacy policy.
Payroll Specialist in Canterbury employer: Sirius-search
Contact Detail:
Sirius-search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist in Canterbury
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and HR sectors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your payroll knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios, like handling maternity leave calculations or managing payroll discrepancies. Show them youβre the expert they need!
β¨Tip Number 3
Donβt just apply; follow up! After submitting your application through our website, drop a quick email to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
β¨Tip Number 4
Stay organised! Keep track of the roles youβve applied for and prepare tailored questions for each interview. This will help you stand out as someone whoβs genuinely interested in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist in Canterbury
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Specialist role. Highlight your experience with payroll accuracy, Excel skills, and any relevant legislation knowledge. We want to see how you fit into our purpose-led organisation!
Showcase Your Skills: Donβt just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past roles that showcase your hands-on experience with payroll processes and compliance. This helps us see your potential impact on our team.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like payroll. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us manage applications better and ensures you donβt miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sirius-search
β¨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially around UK statutory legislation and employer liabilities. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've ensured payroll accuracy or handled complex calculations like maternity or pro-rata pay.
β¨Excel is Your Best Friend
Since the role requires strong Excel skills, practice using advanced functions and data manipulation techniques. Bring examples of how you've used Excel in previous roles to solve payroll issues or improve processes.
β¨Communicate Clearly
Prepare to explain payroll concepts in simple terms, especially for non-payroll stakeholders. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated complex information to colleagues or management, showcasing your ability to bridge the gap between payroll and other departments.
β¨Show Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage your workload and meet deadlines, especially in a fast-paced environment. Share specific examples of how you've kept track of payroll changes, reconciliations, and compliance tasks to demonstrate your organisational prowess.