At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll and benefits across multiple countries, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
- Company: Join a global leader in HR operations with a focus on employee experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in employees' lives by managing their payroll and benefits.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll administration and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Role
To support the delivery of accurate, compliant, and timely payroll and benefits administration across multiple countries. The role ensures adherence to local payroll regulations and global governance standards, working with in-country providers, internal stakeholders, and third-party vendors to deliver a seamless employee experience.
Location: Ipswich (Hybrid)
Reporting Line: Head of HR Operations
Key Responsibilities
- Payroll Administration
- Support end-to-end payroll processing across multiple jurisdictions (UK, EMEA, APAC, Americas as applicable)
- Coordinate with in-country payroll providers/vendors to ensure timely and accurate payroll delivery
- Collate, validate, and submit payroll inputs including:
- Starters, leavers, and employee lifecycle changes
- Compensation changes, allowances, bonuses, and commissions
- Absence and statutory payments in line with local legislation
- Review and validate payroll outputs, reconciliations, and reports across regions
- Ensure compliance with local tax, social security, and employment regulations
- Support global payroll calendar management and governance processes
- Assist with year-end activities (e.g., local filings, tax returns, employee reporting)
- Benefits Administration
- Administer and coordinate employee benefits programmes across multiple countries, including:
- Pension and retirement schemes
- Private medical and insurance benefits
- Life assurance and income protection
- Regional or country-specific benefits
- Partner with brokers and vendors, and manage enrolments, renewals, and changes
- Track eligibility, participation and costs across global benefits programmes
- Ensure compliance with local legislation and global benefits strategy
- Support the communication and rollout of new benefits to employees, ensuring clarity, accuracy and a positive employee experience
- Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a key contact for global payroll providers and benefits vendors
- Build strong relationships with Finance, HR Business Partners, and local market teams
- Support issue resolution and escalation management across regions
- Participate in vendor performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
- Compliance & Reporting
- Ensure adherence to global controls, SOX (if applicable), GDPR, and local regulatory requirements
- Maintain accurate payroll and benefits records across systems
- Support internal and external audits across multiple jurisdictions
- Produce global and regional payroll & benefits reporting, including headcount, costs, and variances
- Employee Support
- Provide first-line support for global payroll and benefits queries
- Respond to employee queries across regions in a timely and professional manner
- Support employees in understanding payslips, deductions, and benefits offerings
- Systems, Projects & Process Improvement
- Maintain data integrity across HRIS and payroll platforms (e.g., Workday)
- Support system implementations, upgrades, and global payroll/benefits projects
- Identify and drive standardisation, automation, and process improvement initiatives
- Contribute to global payroll and benefits policies, procedures, and documentation
- Support the communication and rollout of new benefits to employees, ensuring clarity, accuracy and a positive employee experience
About You
- Experience in payroll administration across multiple countries or regions
- Understanding of global payroll concepts and local compliance requirements
- Experience administering employee benefits across more than one geography
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- Experience working with global payroll vendors (e.g., CloudPay)
- Knowledge of UK payroll (HMRC) plus exposure to additional jurisdictions
- Experience with global HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday)
- CIPP qualification or equivalent (or working towards)
We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, age, gender, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, orientation, or any other legally protected categories. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please email us at talentacquisition@willisre.com
Payroll and Benefits Administrator in Ipswich employer: Willis Re
Willis Re is an exceptional employer that prioritises a diverse and inclusive work environment, offering employees the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that drives strategic growth in the reinsurance sector. With a strong focus on professional development, employees benefit from advanced analytical resources and collaborative teamwork, ensuring they are well-equipped to excel in their roles while fostering strong relationships with clients and global reinsurers. Located in a dynamic market, Willis Re provides a unique platform for career advancement and innovation in risk management.
