Payroll & HR Integration Specialist

Location: Leatherhead, UK

Company: Zoetis

Reports to: Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) - Market

Working Pattern: Hybrid (Flexible in-office and remote arrangements)

About Zoetis

Zoetis is a global leader in animal health, dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of animals worldwide. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and improving animal care, Zoetis develops vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic products that help veterinarians and livestock producers deliver optimal outcomes.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Payroll & HR Integration Specialist to join our Human Resources team on an initial 12-month contract, starting immediately. This role offers a unique opportunity to support a recent acquisition and drive integration activities across Payroll and wider HR operations.

You will have full accountability for UK payroll operations, working closely with a global payroll provider to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing. Alongside payroll, you will contribute to HR functions including benefits administration, employee lifecycle support, recruitment, HR advisory, and reporting.

This is a hands-on, individual contributor role within an agile HR team, offering exposure to multiple projects, systems, and stakeholders. You will help ensure consistent HR policy application, maintain compliance with UK legislation, and support continuous improvement of HR and payroll processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Integration & Transformation
  • Support payroll and HR integration activities following a recent acquisition
  • Harmonise payroll systems, processes, and data across entities
  • Align HR policies, procedures, and employee data to ensure organisational consistency
  • Collaborate with Finance, HR teams, and external payroll providers to ensure seamless payroll delivery
  • Identify and resolve discrepancies, integration challenges, and process gaps
  • Support compliance with UK employment law, tax regulations, and internal policies
  • Participate in payroll and HR system testing, validation, and reporting
  • Provide guidance to stakeholders throughout the integration lifecycle
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of payroll and HR operations
• Payroll Administration
  • Manage end-to-end payroll processes, including pre- and post-payroll activities
  • Coordinate with external payroll vendors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll
  • Maintain payroll inputs, reconciliations, and reporting
  • Prepare payroll records for audits, finance, and management review
  • Ensure timely submission of statutory requirements, including PAYE
  • Support year-end payroll processes and reporting obligations
  • Identify process improvements to harmonise payroll practices
• Benefits Administration
  • Manage payroll-related benefit deductions and tax implications
  • Oversee reconciliations, payments, and reporting for benefits and pensions
  • Administer pensions, company car fleet, allowances, and annual share option plans
  • Coordinate benefit plan administration, enrolments, and reporting
  • Liaise with external providers to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Workforce Administration & HR Operations
  • Maintain employee data within Workday (HRIS) accurately
  • Manage HR transactions: onboarding, hiring, transfers, promotions, and exits
  • Ensure proper documentation and archiving of employee records
  • Track holidays, sick leave, and absence data accurately
  • Oversee contingent worker population and ensure Workday data accuracy
  • Support Works Council processes and HR governance
  • Contribute to HR system optimisation and knowledge management
• Recruitment & Onboarding Support
  • Assist HRBP and hiring managers with recruitment activities
  • Manage job postings, offers, contracts, and background checks
  • Support onboarding of new hires and internal/international transfers
  • Ensure compliance with DE&I principles and UK regulations
• Employee & Manager Support
  • Act as point of contact for HR and payroll queries
  • Resolve employee and manager inquiries efficiently, escalating complex issues as needed
  • Ensure timely, high-quality resolution and maintain empathy in communications
  • Contribute to knowledge management and continuous improvement initiatives
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Support HR governance, compliance, and change programmes
  • Assist with employee engagement, cultural initiatives, and special projects
  • Take ownership of HR and payroll initiatives within the team

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field (preferred)
• Proven experience managing payroll operations end-to-end (essential)
• Experience in a multinational or global organisation (preferred)
• Strong knowledge of HR processes, UK employment law, and payroll legislation
• Experience in talent management, recruitment, compensation & benefits, and HR data administration
• Pharmaceutical or animal health industry experience advantageous
• Experience managing HR or payroll-related projects strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Strong communication in multicultural, international environments
• High confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical standards
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and problem-solving mindset
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines
• Proactive, self-motivated, and results-driven
• Strong business acumen and customer service mindset
• Independent worker with initiative in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with HR systems (Workday preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Why Join Zoetis?

This is a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced, transformational environment, supporting integration projects while gaining exposure across HR and payroll operations. Zoetis offers a collaborative, purpose-driven culture, hybrid working flexibility, and the chance to contribute to meaningful work that improves the health and well-being of animals worldwide.