At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll operations and ensure timely payments for employees.
- Company: Join Aegon, a leader in financial services with a focus on equity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, 34 days leave, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with full training and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experiences 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.
Full training and ongoing support will be provided by our experienced Payroll & Benefits team, ensuring you have everything you need to succeed in the role.
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. To find out more about what to expect at Aegon, visit our careers site.
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 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 feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in their role as a Payroll Specialist.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements, especially around HMRC reporting and complex calculations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your attention to detail during interviews. Bring examples of how you've handled payroll challenges in the past, and be prepared to demonstrate your advanced Excel skills – they’re a must for this role!
✨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 serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of helping people live their best lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist
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!
Showcase Your Attention to Detail:In payroll, precision is key. Use your application to demonstrate your attention to detail. Whether it’s through examples of past work or specific achievements, show us that you can handle the numbers accurately!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. 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 ready to tackle the complexities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail
Prepare examples from your past experience where your attention to detail made a significant difference. Whether it was catching an error in payroll or ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations, these stories will highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HMRC Reporting
Make sure you understand the statutory reporting requirements like RTI and P11D. Being able to explain how you’ve handled these processes in previous roles will demonstrate your expertise and readiness to contribute from day one.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Share specific instances where your teamwork led to improved outcomes, especially in high-pressure situations.
