At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll operations and ensure timely payments for employees.
- Company: Join Aegon, a leader in financial services focused on helping people live their best lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, 34 days leave, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with ongoing training and support for your success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your payroll expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll, strong knowledge of UK legislation, and advanced Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 30880 - 46320 € per year.
12 Month Fixed Term Contract
Location: Edinburgh (We believe in the power of in-person collaboration, and our hybrid model requires colleagues to be in the office a minimum of 40% of their time)
Salary: A competitive salary from £30,880 – £46,320 depending on the experience you can bring
Closing date: 14th May 2026
People are living longer and we’re excited by the opportunities this brings to help people live their best lives. We’re here for everyone who wants to make the most of their time on the planet and leave it a little better than they found it – however grand or humble their ambitions.
We help people live their best lives. We help them with the big stuff, for the moments that matter: Pensions, Savings, Investments. At Aegon, we strive in creating a diverse organisation that plays a meaningful role in driving greater equity, inclusion and belonging.
The Payroll & Benefits team is essential to delivering an exceptional employee experience, making sure every UK-based employee across Aegon UK, Aegon Asset Management, Enterprise Technology, and Aegon Financial Planning is paid accurately and on time. In this fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, precision and compliance aren’t just important – they’re essential.
We’re looking for a Payroll Specialist to take ownership of day-to-day payroll operations and benefits administration. In this role, you’ll be a trusted expert on payroll processes, HMRC legislation, and compliance. From managing monthly payroll to supporting future HR projects, your work will have a direct impact on the success of our business and the experience of our people.
In this role, you’ll collaborate with multiple teams, including our People (HR) function, Finance & Tax, Audit & Risk, and the Pension team. You’ll also provide expert advice and support to managers and employees, ensuring queries are resolved quickly and accurately. This is a role where your expertise will be valued and your impact will be felt across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Deliver the full UK payroll and benefits cycle, ensuring accurate and timely payments for employees. This includes processing new hires, leavers, and changes, managing PAYE reporting to HMRC, and maintaining compliance with SOX controls.
- Handle statutory payments such as SSP, SMP, ShPP, and SAP, and perform complex manual calculations when required.
- Complete cyclical processes such as P11D, PSA, annual pay review, bonus cycles, and tax year-end activities.
- Act as a payroll expert on HR projects, including benefit changes, restructures, and TUPE, working closely with technical teams to implement and test changes in Workday.
We’d love to hear from you if you have:
- Previous experience in a high-volume payroll and benefits environment, within a fast-paced financial services organisation
- Expert knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, NI, pensions, and data protection
- Strong experience with HMRC statutory reporting (RTI, P11D, tax year-end)
- Advanced Excel skills
- Highly numerate, detail-oriented, and able to thrive under pressure
- Experience handling complex manual payroll calculations, such as redundancy payments and sickness adjustments
- Comfortable working to tight deadlines
- Customer-focused, with a collaborative approach to working across teams
What’s in it for you?
- We’re serious about your future and our enhanced pension scheme is now in place. We ask you to contribute 3% of your salary to your pension and we’ll put in 9%. If you decide to contribute more, we’ll match it up to a combined total of 20% of your salary (that’s 7% from you and 13% from us).
- A discretionary bonus, depending on personal and company performance
- 34 days leave per year (including bank holidays, pro-rated for part-time)
- We also offer private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover, enhanced parental leave and a variety of lifestyle benefits to help our employees live their best lives, including retail discount vouchers, cycle2work scheme, subsidised restaurant and online GP appointments.
Joining our Payroll & Benefits team means becoming part of a group that keeps the business moving. If you’re looking for a role where your attention to detail and problem-solving skills make a real impact every day this is the team for you.
The legal bits
We’ll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. If we offer you a job and you accept, there are some checks we need to complete before you can start with us. This will include a credit and criminal record check, as well as providing satisfactory references.
Payroll Specialist in Edinburgh employer: Transamerica Corporation
Aegon is an exceptional employer located in Edinburgh, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises collaboration and employee well-being. With a competitive salary range, generous benefits including a robust pension scheme, private medical cover, and 34 days of leave, Aegon fosters a culture of growth and inclusivity, ensuring that every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact in their role as a Payroll Specialist.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance. Be ready to discuss your experience with HMRC reporting and complex calculations. Show them you’re the expert they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. Think about how your skills align with the role of Payroll Specialist. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Aegon. Let’s make this happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Specialist role. Highlight your experience with payroll processes, HMRC legislation, and any relevant software skills. We want to see how your background aligns with 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 skills can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Attention to Detail:In payroll, precision is key. When filling out your application, double-check for any typos or errors. We appreciate candidates who take the time to ensure everything is spot on – it reflects your work ethic!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Transamerica Corporation
✨Know Your Payroll Legislation
Brush up on UK payroll legislation, PAYE, and NI contributions before your interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics but are also an expert in the field.
✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail
Prepare examples from your past experience where your attention to detail made a significant impact. Whether it was catching an error in payroll or ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations, these stories will highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of specific instances where you resolved complex payroll issues or improved processes. Sharing these experiences will illustrate your ability to thrive under pressure and contribute positively to the team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the Payroll & Benefits team and their projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can make a meaningful impact within the organisation.
