Payroll Administrator

As Wood Innovations goes through a period of rapid growth and development, we are looking to recruit a motivated and driven Part-Time Payroll Administrator to join our team. The ideal candidate will be able to work to fixed payroll deadlines while maintaining a calm, methodical, and accurate approach. They will be able to deliver accurate, compliant, and on-time UK and Ireland payroll administration, including monthly payroll, pensions and benefits administration, statutory documentation, payroll reporting, and secure payment processing, ensuring employees are paid correctly and all regulatory deadlines are met.

This role operates within a team but with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility and acts as the primary payroll subject‑matter expert for the business. Working pattern to be agreed, with flexibility required around monthly payroll and statutory deadlines.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

1) Monthly Payroll Processing (UK & Ireland)

• Process monthly payroll end-to-end for UK and Ireland employees, including starters/leavers, contract changes, pay adjustments, overtime/allowances, deductions, and statutory payments.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records (tax details, NI/PRSI, USC where applicable, bank details, pension enrolment status, benefit deductions, etc.).
• Prepare payroll checklists, validation checks, and variance reviews for sign-off by the Financial Controller.
• Produce and issue payslips and respond to payroll queries promptly and confidentially.

2) Monthly Sales Commission Administration

• Collate, validate, and calculate monthly sales commission in line with agreed commission schemes and approvals.
• Maintain clear supporting schedules and audit trail (inputs, calculations, exceptions, approvals).
• Process commission through payroll and ensure correct tax/NI/PRSI treatment where applicable.

3) Statutory Compliance & Year-End / Periodic Requirements

• Ensure ongoing UK payroll statutory compliance, including Real Time Information (RTI) submissions to HMRC, accurate payroll record-keeping, and provision of payroll information for audit and statutory review purposes.
• Ensure ongoing Ireland payroll compliance, including timely payroll submissions, accurate Revenue reporting under PAYE Modernisation, and maintenance of compliant payroll records.
• Support preparation of P11D / P11D(b) and benefit-in-kind reporting (including Class 1A NIC where applicable), coordinating inputs and approvals.
• Support UK and Ireland payroll year-end processes, including preparation and distribution of UK P60s and ensuring accurate Ireland year-end reporting.

4) Benefits, Pensions & Deductions Administration

• Administer UK auto-enrolment pension obligations, including employee assessments, enrolments, opt-ins/opt-outs, postponements, and re-enrolment cycles.
• Prepare and submit accurate UK pension contribution files to pension providers and ensure timely payment of employee and employer contributions.
• Support administration of Irish pension arrangements, including contribution calculations, submissions, and reconciliations.
• Maintain pension records and ensure compliance with regulatory and scheme requirements in both jurisdictions.
• Manage the company health insurance schemes, including employee enrolments, leavers, changes, and liaison with insurance providers and HR/Finance as required.
• Maintain payroll-related benefits data and produce benefit and deduction summaries as required.
• Administer authorised payroll deductions including pensions, health insurance, salary sacrifice and other agreed deductions.

5) Reporting, Reconciliations & Administration Support

• Produce monthly payroll summaries, commission reports, pension contribution reports and cost reports for the Financial Controller.
• Support payroll-to-General Ledger reconciliations and provide information for audits, pension provider queries, and statutory inspections.
• Maintain well-organised payroll, pension, and benefits documentation to support continuity and internal controls.
• Ensure strict confidentiality, GDPR compliance, and secure handling of employee data at all times.

6) Credit Control & Finance Administration

• Assist the Credit Controller in proactively chasing outstanding payments from Customers.
• Carry out general finance administration, including processing invoices, expense claims, purchase orders, maintaining financial records, and supporting routine accounting and reporting activities.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Previous experience in a payroll administration role, processing payroll accurately to deadlines.
• Working knowledge of UK payroll requirements, including RTI, P60s, pensions auto-enrolment, and benefits reporting (P11D/P11D(b)).
• Practical understanding of Ireland payroll principles and Revenue reporting.
• Experience administering UK & Ireland pensions and reconciling pension contributions.
• Experience managing or supporting employee health insurance schemes.
• Strong Excel capability and high numerical accuracy.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation, and confidentiality.

Desirable

• Experience calculating and administering sales commission schemes.
• Payroll qualification or working towards.
• Experience improving payroll processes, checklists, and controls.
• Familiarity with payment platforms/workflows.
• Experience using payroll systems such as Sage, BrightPay and Revolut.

Behavioural Competencies

• Trustworthy and discreet with sensitive information.
• Calm under deadline pressure.
• Methodical problem-solver (investigates discrepancies thoroughly).
• Clear communicator with employees and managers.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Key Measures of Success

• Payroll, pensions, and benefits processed accurately and on time with minimal corrections.
• Strong audit trail and reconciliations maintained.
• Statutory compliance met across UK and Ireland.
• Payroll queries resolved quickly and professionally.

Benefits

• Monday – Friday (20 hours weekly)
• 28 Days Holidays (including stats, Christmas & New Year Shutdown) pro rata, increasing with length of service.
• Option to join a contributory stakeholder pension scheme after three month’s service.
• Option to join the company’s health benefit scheme after six month’s service.
• Workplace Bonus Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Social Events
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Staff health and wellbeing programme.
• Free on-site parking
• Branded clothing
• Kitchen/catering facilities on site including complimentary tea/coffee/milk/water/fruit/bread and butter.
• Opportunity for personal and professional development and attend external training seminars.
• Tech Scheme: Select from Curry’s' extensive tech offerings, spreading the cost over 12 months with salary deductions and potential National Insurance savings of up to 12%.