Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

Full-Time 50000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Oversee payroll operations and drive process improvements in a collaborative team.
  • Company: Join Standard Life, a leading retirement specialist with over 200 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on payroll transformation while enjoying a supportive work environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience with Oracle HCM Cloud payroll processing and strong analytical skills required.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.

We’re looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our People Operations team to work alongside the People Operations Manager (Payroll & Reward).

Job Type: Permanent

Location: This role could be based in either our Edinburgh or Telford offices with time spent working in the office and at home.

Closing Date: 31/03/2026

Flexible working: All of our roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.

Salary and benefits: From £50,000 - £55,000 DOE plus an indicative bonus range of 8-16%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.

Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.

The Role:

  • Oversee payroll operations, compliance, and reconciliation.
  • Act as SME for Oracle HCM Cloud payroll processing.
  • Support system testing, upgrades, and new functionality.
  • Champion process improvements and payroll transformation projects.
  • Deliver training, documentation, and management reporting.
  • A collaborative team player with the flexibility to support colleagues during peak periods.

What We’re Looking For:

  • Proven experience processing payroll using Oracle HCM Cloud, preferred supported by Oracle Payroll Cloud Certification.
  • Demonstrated experience payroll consulting or management, with strong knowledge of payroll legislation and compliance.
  • High proficiency in Oracle payroll systems and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.
  • Holds a Payroll Diploma or Accountancy qualification, or equivalent experience at this level.
  • Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and reporting skills, with proven experience analysing payroll data, identifying, and resolving discrepancies, and producing accurate payroll and compliance reports in a customer‑centric environment.

We Want To Hire The Whole Version Of You. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best. We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.

Senior Payroll Specialist employer: Standard Life plc

At Standard Life, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment in our Edinburgh and Telford offices. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including 38 days of annual leave, private medical cover, and opportunities for career growth, we empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. Our commitment to inclusivity and employee well-being ensures that every team member can bring their best self to work, making it a truly rewarding place to build your career.
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Contact Detail:

Standard Life plc Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Payroll Specialist

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and finance sectors. You never know who might have a lead on that Senior Payroll Specialist role or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your Oracle HCM Cloud knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with payroll processing and compliance, as these are key areas for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've resolved payroll discrepancies or improved processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your value to potential employers.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Payroll Specialist

Payroll Processing
Oracle HCM Cloud
Payroll Legislation Knowledge
Compliance Management
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Reporting Skills
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Payroll Diploma or Accountancy Qualification
Process Improvement
Training Delivery
Collaboration
Flexibility

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Payroll Specialist role. Highlight your experience with Oracle HCM Cloud and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about payroll and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about working with Standard Life.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved payroll processes or solved complex issues. We love seeing how you've made an impact in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we’re reviewing applications as they come in, so don’t wait too long!

How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life plc

✨Know Your Payroll Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of payroll legislation and compliance, especially as it relates to Oracle HCM Cloud. Be ready to discuss your experience with payroll processing and any challenges you've faced, as this will show your expertise and problem-solving skills.

✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to share specific examples of how you've analysed payroll data in the past. Think about discrepancies you've resolved or reports you've produced that had a significant impact. This will demonstrate your analytical prowess and attention to detail.

✨Be a Team Player

Since the role requires collaboration, think of instances where you've worked effectively within a team, especially during peak periods. Highlight your flexibility and willingness to support colleagues, as this aligns with what they’re looking for in a candidate.

✨Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some insightful questions about the company culture, the People Operations team, and their approach to payroll transformation projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.

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