Assistant Payroll Manager in Ipswich

Assistant Payroll Manager

Location: Site or Orwell Logistics park (Suffolk) 2-3 days a week in the office

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Salary: £56,500- £59,000 + bonus and benefits including:

• Annual company bonus (up to 5%)
• Market-leading pension scheme (up to 7.5% employee / up to 15% Sizewell C)
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to purchase extra holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to benefits portal where additional benefits can be purchased such as; private medical cover, discounted gym memberships, electric car schemes, etc

Closing date: Tuesday 29th of September 2026

Why Join as an Assistant Payroll Manager?

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced payroll professional to take ownership of a complex, high-profile payroll function within a major national project. You'll act as the payroll subject matter expert, leading on payroll delivery, compliance, systems improvement and stakeholder support while helping to shape the future of payroll operations at Sizewell C.

Working closely with the Payroll, Pensions & Reward Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring payroll is delivered accurately and efficiently for our growing workforce. You'll also have the opportunity to support system enhancements, drive process improvements and deputise for the Payroll Manager, giving you genuine responsibility and visibility across the organisation.

The Opportunity

As Assistant Payroll Manager, you will be responsible for the day‑to‑day management and delivery of payroll activities, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time and in accordance with statutory, contractual and organisational requirements. You'll oversee payroll processing, maintain robust controls, manage reconciliations and provide expert payroll guidance across the business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing end‑to‑end payroll processing activities
• Reviewing payroll transactions, reconciliations and controls
• Supporting payroll sign‑off and governance activities
• Acting as an escalation point for complex payroll queries
• Supporting audits, compliance and legislative updates
• Leading payroll‑related projects, process improvements and system enhancements
• Producing payroll reporting and management information
• Deputising for the Payroll, Pensions & Reward Manager when required

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an experienced payroll professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys balancing operational delivery with continuous improvement.

You'll ideally have:

• Significant experience working within an in‑house payroll function
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and statutory payments
• Experience managing end to end payroll processes and complex payroll transactions
• Excellent payroll reconciliation, validation and reporting skills
• Strong Microsoft Excel capability
• Experience using payroll and HR systems (SAP Payroll or SAP SuccessFactors experience is beneficial but not essential)
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• A highly organised, detail focused and problem solving mindset
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work to strict deadlines

Experience within a large, complex or regulated organisation would be particularly advantageous.

When joining Sizewell C, you may wonder why you are contacted by colleagues with an EDF email or see the EDF logo on portals that you access and/or documentation you receive; this is because we have partnered with EDF for the provision of a number of support services whilst we complete a successful transition out of the EDF group.

At Sizewell C we encourage and embrace diversity and how it can improve our experience and performance at work. It is a requirement that those who join us have the right to work in the UK. Whilst sponsorship may be a possibility that we can explore, we are fully committed to local recruitment where possible, and those already holding the right to work in the UK.

To be appointed to this role, you will need to meet the criteria for Security Vetting, which will, ordinarily, require you to have been a resident of the UK for at least three of the past five years.