Payroll, HRIS & Benefits Specialist in City of Westminster

This role works as part of the People & Culture team to deliver best‑in‑class service for Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. The Payroll & Benefits Manager will lead the end‑to‑end payroll and benefits process for our company of 500, this includes owning Zoho People (HRIS) lifecycle processes, partnering with line managers, suppliers, and key stakeholders to deliver operational excellence. The role combines hands‑on execution of core processes with strategic oversight of continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, compliance, and employee experience. The role requires strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working collaboratively with internal stakeholders. Working hours: Hybrid, 40 hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Business Scheduling, People & Culture and Finance teams to consolidate and validate payroll inputs.
• Review payroll outputs from Pay Escape, identifying discrepancies and coordinating with external providers to resolve issues.
• Maintain and enhance payroll processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Develop and maintain clear payroll documentation and controls (e.g. Confluence).
• Ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements (e.g. P60s, P45s, PSA, STBV reporting).
• Perform data reconciliation and validation, strengthening controls and audit readiness.
• Monitor regulatory and legislative changes across relevant jurisdictions.
• Oversee HR systems (HRIS), payroll, and benefits, ensuring integration, compliance, and continuous improvement in line with business needs and ROI.
• Partner with the wider People & Culture team to streamline processes, improve employee experience, and drive automation and self‑service.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance in payroll, pensions, GDPR, right‑to‑work, and employment law requirements.
• Generate and analyse HR data to provide insights, trends, and recommendations that inform strategic workforce decisions.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experienced with compensation modelling tools & benchmarking platforms.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and demonstrable advanced Excel skills.
• Well acquainted and experienced with HMRC auditing, legislative updates and regulations.
• Experience in devising compensation structures such as commission schemes, LTIPS and overseeing internal pension structures.
• Seasoned expert with managing payroll processes ensuring timely and accurate payments and compliance with local regulations, working with external payroll provider Pay Escape.
• Credible background managing employee benefits, systems and ongoing coordination.
• Strong technical capability and analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and present insights clearly.
• A strong commercial acumen, with the ability to broker relationships for contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of HMRC requirements and reward related regulations.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex compensation topics into clear, compelling narratives for employees and leadership.
• Proven ability to influence and build strong relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Employee first mentality, with excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
• Demonstrable experience in HR data and reporting, turning insights into action.
• Relevant experience managing employee lifecycle processes.
• Strong working knowledge of HR systems, payroll, benefits, and employment law compliance.
• Proven experience in payroll processing and governance.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes and systems.
• Team player.
• Stakeholder management.
• Organisational skills.
• Motivational skills.
• Conflict resolution.
• Time management.
• Emotional intelligence.
• Negotiation skills.
• Adaptability.
• Proactive.
• Collaborative.

Benefits

• Salary Sacrifice Scheme: Scaled contributions with employer contributions up to 10% of gross salary.
• Auto‑Enrolment Scheme: Employee contribution of 5% with an employer contribution of 3%.
• Free travel on all Uber Boats by Thames Clippers & employee ferry.
• 25% off food and drinks on board or at Clipper Lounge, Embankment.
• BUPA Cash Plan available from day one of employment.
• Private Medical Insurance with BUPA Healthcare.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing confidential support.
• Flexible working hours to support work‑life balance.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Season ticket loans.

Location Trinity Buoy Wharf (About a 10‑minute walk from Canning Town Station or 3‑minute ferry ride from North Greenwich)