Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

Full-Time 39000 - 52000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Run end-to-end payrolls and enhance our outsourced payroll service.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing AI-native workforce management startup.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and professional development.
  • Other info: Dynamic team culture with excellent growth opportunities and bi-annual retreats.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on frontline teams while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in UK payroll processing and strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 39000 - 52000 £ per year.

3 billion people across the world work in frontline jobs. Yet, despite rising costs and staff shortages, frontline organisations are still left to choose between paper, Excel, and WhatsApp, or decade-old workforce management solutions to take care of the most important part of their businesses - their people.

Enter Sona: the next generation of AI-native, frontline workforce management. We’ve built an end-to-end platform covering Scheduling, HR, Payroll, and Communications that gives the largest frontline organisations everything they need to staff more intelligently and empower their teams.

In 4 years, we’ve already made a deep impact on the lives of over 100k frontline workers and the operation of their organisations, grown the team to 120+, and secured over $50M in funding from notable VC’s, including Felicis, Northzone, Gradient Ventures (Google), SpeedInvest, Antler, and Notion Capital, plus notable angels like Tom Blomfield (Monzo).

It’s a hugely exciting time to be joining the team as we’re still small enough that you’ll have a significant impact on the company’s growth trajectory and culture, yet large enough to have a great structure, experienced leaders and world-class benefits in place.

About the Role

Sona is on a mission to make work easier for frontline teams and payroll is a huge part of that. We’re growing fast, and now’s your chance to help shape the future of our outsourced payroll offering.

We’re looking for someone who’s confident running payroll and wants to take the next step in their career. Maybe you’ve been working in a bureau or running in-house payrolls and are now ready to take on a bigger challenge, with more ownership and customer interaction. If you’re excited by the idea of working in a fast-moving startup, this could be the perfect role for you.

You’ll be part of a small but mighty Payroll Bureau team, reporting into our Director of Payroll. You’ll play a key role in delivering a first-class service to our customers and helping us refine how we run outsourced payroll as we scale.

Responsibilities

  • Running end-to-end payrolls for a growing portfolio of enterprise customers with complex payroll requirements (hourly pay rates, overtime, weekly, fortnightly or monthly payrolls).
  • Being the go-to person for your clients, owning those relationships and giving them confidence in our service.
  • Spotting where we can improve and helping put those improvements into action.
  • Supporting our sales team from time to time as a payroll expert, helping prospective customers understand how our bureau works.
  • Collaborating with teams across Sona, from Implementation and Product to Customer Success and Support.
  • Getting to grips with our HR and WFM platform and how it connects with payroll.
  • Keeping an eye on KPIs, SLAs and compliance to make sure we’re delivering the best possible service.
  • Staying on top of legislation, tools and trends that might impact our payroll service.

Skills and Experience

You’ll need to bring…

  • Solid experience processing UK payrolls, ideally in a bureau or outsourced setting.
  • Strong attention to detail and a love for getting things right, especially when working with numbers.
  • Good Excel or Google Sheets skills (e.g. VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, SUM, CONCATENATE).
  • Great communication skills, you’re confident talking to customers and building trust.
  • A proactive, can-do attitude; you spot problems before they happen and enjoy finding ways to solve them.
  • Proactive and solutions-driven, tackling challenges head-on with a positive attitude.
  • Commercially aware and eager to drive improvements, not just follow the status quo.
  • Ownership mindset; if it can be done today, don’t wait for tomorrow.

Benefits

  • Salary: £45,000 - £50,000.
  • Hybrid working - 2+ days/week in our London office (Soho).
  • Share options.
  • 35 days annual leave (25 days standard plus 10 flexible public holiday days).
  • Extra day of leave for every year of service.
  • Pension contributions matched up to 5%.
  • Comprehensive health insurance.
  • Enhanced parental leave & pay.
  • Co-working space stipend for those based outside London.
  • Bi-annual all expenses paid team retreats.
  • The latest Macbook and equipment budget for your home office.
  • Professional development budget.
  • Unlimited free books.

Note: this represents a typical benefits package for a UK-based, full-time employee. Exact details may vary based on location and employment type but we try to be as fair as possible to all of our team members. Please ask your contact in the Talent team to clarify the available benefits for you.

Senior Payroll Specialist employer: Sona

Sona is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering hybrid working arrangements and equity options to ensure employees feel valued and invested in the company's success. With generous leave policies and a strong focus on professional development, team members are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact across diverse sectors such as hospitality, retail, and social care from the vibrant city of London.

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Contact Details:

Sona Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Payroll Specialist

✨Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

✨Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

✨Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Sona. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Payroll Specialist

UK Payroll Processing
Attention to Detail
Excel Skills
Google Sheets Skills
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Proactive Attitude

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Sona.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Sona's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sona

✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Sona.

✨Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

✨Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Sona will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

✨Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former Sona employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.