Payroll and HR Coordinator in Southampton

We are looking for a Payroll & HR Coordinator to join our HR team in a hybrid role that supports both payroll operations and HR administration. This position is designed to provide operational resilience across Payroll and HR, ensuring payroll runs smoothly during key processing periods while also supporting the wider HR team with employee lifecycle administration outside payroll cycles. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering accurate payroll processing, maintaining HR systems and records, and providing responsive support to employees and managers. Over time, you will develop the knowledge and confidence to independently run the monthly payrolls in the absence of the Payroll Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll (Primary Focus During Payroll Cycle)
  • Support the processing of monthly payrolls across UK entities, ensuring accuracy and meeting strict deadlines.
  • Process sickness absence, statutory leave and related payroll calculations in line with legislation and company policy.
  • Prepare and review payroll reports using Excel (pivot tables and lookups).
  • Process BACS payments and distribute payslips.
  • Assist with RTI submissions to HMRC and year-end processes including P60s and P11Ds.
  • Complete pension uploads, reports and reconciliations in line with auto-enrolment legislation and provider requirements.
  • Produce payroll journals, reports and monthly finance reconciliations.
  • Maintain payroll procedures, documentation and checklists.
  • Respond to employee payroll queries and escalate complex issues where needed.
  • Support payroll compliance for employees working overseas where applicable.
  • Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency and controls.
  • Manage payrolling of benefits where applicable.
  • Over time, develop the capability to run payroll independently when required.
• HR Administration & Coordination (Outside Payroll Cycle)
  • Working alongside the HR team, you will provide support across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring smooth HR operations.
  • HR Query Management
    • Manage and respond to queries in the HR inbox.
    • Provide first-line support to employees and managers.
  • Employee Lifecycle Administration
    • Prepare employment documentation including contracts, offer letters, contract changes, family leave documentation, references and leave documentation.
    • Maintain accurate employee records within the HR system.
  • Absence & Leave Administration
    • Monitor and record sickness absence.
    • Support administration of maternity, paternity and parental leave.
    • Assist with holiday purchase and carry-over processes.
  • HR Systems & Data Management
    • Maintain accurate HR records and reports.
    • Support HR system updates, testing and reporting.
    • Ensure compliance with GDPR and data retention practices.
    • Complete pre-payroll checks to ensure HR data is correct for payroll processing.
  • Recruitment & Onboarding
    • Provide recruitment administration support when required.
  • HR Operations & Projects
    • Maintain organisational charts and HR documentation.
    • Support updates to HR policies and internal resources.
    • Assist with pay review and bonus processes.
    • Provide support for HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

  Skills and Experience

  • Essential
    • Experience processing end-to-end in-house payroll.
    • Up-to-date knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory payments (SSP, SMP etc.).
    • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
    • Experience using HR and payroll systems.
    • Strong Excel skills, including lookups and pivot tables.
    • Experience supporting HR administration across the employee lifecycle.
    • Knowledge of pension auto-enrolment processes.
    • Ability to manage changing priorities and busy processing periods.
    • Excellent communication and organisational skills.
  • Desirable
    • Experience producing payroll journals and financial reconciliations.
    • Experience in multi-entity or international payroll environments.

  Qualifications

  • Desirable: Part-qualified Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

  What We're Looking For

  • The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
  • Adaptability and flexibility.
  • Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
  • A customer-focused approach when supporting employees.
  • Resilience and professionalism when managing deadlines.

  Working Pattern

  This is a hybrid role, combining time working from home with time in the office.