Payroll Specialist
UKRIPayroll Specialist - Band D
Location: Swindon or Newport, hybrid working available
Salary: £32,751
It’s an exciting time to join UKSBS as we transform our business to be the leading UK public sector business service provider. We aim to become a very different organisation over the next few years as we move to a modern multi-platform, digitally enabled organisation.
About the role
We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to join our HR Operations team. You will play a key role in delivering accurate, compliant and customer-focused payroll services across multiple platforms, ensuring consistent, high-quality outcomes.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo Security Clearance (National Security Vetting) as part of their employment. To meet these standards, applicants must normally have lived in the UK for at least the last five years and be able to satisfy background, identity and criminal record checks.
What’s it like to work in HR Operations at UKSBS?
You’ll be part of a team delivering essential services to government and public sector organisations across the UK. We value collaboration, professionalism, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Our hybrid working model supports flexibility, with most colleagues working primarily from home but typically spending around 20% of their time in the office for training, collaboration and team connection. All new starters receive a structured training programme to help you settle in and gain a solid understanding of our systems and processes.
The duties of the role include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provide specialist payroll advice to internal teams and clients
- Responding to complex payroll queries, escalating where required
- Review, validate and guide on multi-year overpayment calculations
- Own the In-Year and Year-End payroll processes for clients
- Test payroll‑impacting system patches and monthly releases
- Act as the main payroll contact for change requests, ensuring smooth BAU integration
- Support monthly BACS submission processes, including reconciliation and approvals
- Reconcile PAYE, NICs and statutory deductions, submitting EPS/RTI and maintaining HMRC Gateway accounts
- Identify and address payroll knowledge gaps across the team
- Contribute to the development and implementation of process improvements
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of payroll legislation, policies and best practice
- Support occasional projects and other work aligned to business needs
To do this role well you must be able to demonstrate the following:
- Previous payroll experience managing large or multiple payrolls
- Strong knowledge of payroll processes, legislation and best practice
- Ability to manually calculate gross‑to‑net and overpayments
- Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail
- Ability to interpret and present complex data to different audiences
- Strong oral and written communication skills and confidence in handling challenging conversations and complaints
- Ability to translate complex payroll topics for non-experts
- Proficiency with payroll systems; experience with Workday or similar
- Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills
- High degree of numeracy; Maths & English GCSE A–C (or equivalent experience)
- Commitment to customer‑focused service excellence
Experience in public sector payroll services or CIPP Advanced Technician/Payroll Specialist qualification are not essential but would be advantageous
For additional information and a confidential discussion please contact our Recruitment Team on recruiting@uksbs.co.uk.
We are an inclusive and Disability Confident employer and welcome all applications.
UKSBS does not hold a Home Office Sponsor Licence under the UK Immigration System, therefore candidates are required to have eligibility to live and work in the UK prior to applying.
We look forward to hearing from you.
We are UKSBS. We are creating a place where people love to work, a culture where we lead, we change, we deliver and we empower our people to be curious, take action and add value.