Group Payroll Specialist (part-time, 15 hours per week)

Location: London – Hybrid

Job Overview

We are looking for a detail-oriented and highly organised Group Payroll Specialist to manage end‑to‑end payroll operations across multiple entities within our fast‑paced events agency. This role is critical to ensuring all payrolled staff are paid accurately and on time within a complex, high‑volume, project‑driven environment. You will work closely with Finance, HR and operational teams to support payroll compliance, improve processes and provide a seamless payroll experience across the group.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Management
  • Process end‑to‑end payroll for multiple entities within the group (multiple monthly payrolls)
  • Ensure accurate calculation of salaries, overtime, bonuses, commissions and deductions via internal software and/or an external agency
  • Maintain payroll data integrity and ensure timely submissions
• Compliance & Reporting
  • Ensure full compliance with HMRC regulations, legislation and statutory requirements
  • Oversee accurate calculations for PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and other statutory deductions
  • Coordinate with external bureau to prepare and submit RTI filings and year‑end reporting (P60s, P11Ds, etc.)
  • Engage with external auditors, pension providers and tax authorities as required
  • Produce all P11Ds up to March 2027
  • Ensure all benefits are included in payroll in accordance with government deadlines (for the tax year from 5 April 2027 onwards)
• Systems & Processes
  • Maintain and optimise payroll systems and processes across the group
  • Partner with HR to ensure accurate employee data flow (starters, leavers, changes)
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy
  • Support payroll system upgrades, integrations and project work
• Stakeholder Management
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all payroll‑related queries
  • Provide guidance to employees, managers and HR teams
  • Collaborate with Finance on reconciliations and reporting requirements
  • Support international payroll coordination if applicable
• Event Workforce Payroll
  • Manage high‑volume payroll cycles tied to projects and live events
  • Process payments for casual and temporary staff under tight deadlines
  • Ensure accurate tracking of hours worked, rates and approvals

Requirements

• Proven experience managing payroll in a multi‑entity or group structure
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll regulations and compliance requirements, including PAYE, NI, tax codes, deductions, statutory payments, pension regulations and salary sacrifice schemes
• Understanding of HMRC rules and reporting requirements as well as GDPR, data privacy and employment law relating to pay
• Experience with high‑volume or fast‑paced payroll environments (ideally events, hospitality or agency)
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Problem‑solving and analytical thinking, identifying, investigating and resolving payroll discrepancies or queries and reconciling payroll reports
• Strong Excel skills (data validations, formulas, pivot tables) and payroll software experience
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity
• Experience processing payroll for all types of employees
• Familiarity with payroll systems (e.g., Sage, ADP, Workday or similar)
• Exposure to international payrolls (desired but not essential)
• Payroll qualification (e.g., CIPP)
• Proactive and solutions‑driven mindset
• Calm under pressure and able to meet tight deadlines
• Strong communication skills and stakeholder management
• Adaptable to a dynamic, project‑led business environment

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus usual Bank Holidays
• Birthday day off
• Private Health Insurance (upon successful completion of a 6‑month probation period)
• Workplace pension scheme
• Death in service scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Regular social events

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Recruitment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications and business needs. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. We encourage applicants to let us know if any reasonable adjustments are needed during the recruitment process.