Payroll Specialist

As our Payroll Specialist you will be responsible for; 

Payroll Governance & Delivery 

• Support and oversee key stages of the monthly end-to-end UK payroll cycle, ensuring payroll data is accurate, complete, and compliant  

• Perform detailed payroll validations, reconciliations, and sense checks before and after payroll is run  

• Review payroll outputs from the third-party provider, identifying discrepancies and ensuring timely resolution  

• Manage off-cycle payments, corrections, and adjustments in line with approved controls  

• Support month-end and year-end payroll activities, including reconciliations and P60 processes 

Compliance & Statutory Obligations 

• Ensure full compliance with UK legislation, including:  

• PAYE, National Insurance, and RTI (FPS/EPS) 

• Statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SAP, ShPP) 

• Auto‑enrolment pensions 

• National Minimum Wage 

• P45, P60, and P11D processes 

• Support responses to HMRC queries and statutory requests, ensuring accurate and timely information is provided 

• Manage payroll record‑keeping in line with HMRC and GDPR requirements. 

Controls, Risk & Assurance 

• Maintain a payroll issue log, ensuring root‑cause analysis and trend reporting. 

• Maintain accurate payroll records, schedules, and documentation in line with governance standards  

• Identify and mitigate payroll risks, including audit findings. 

• Support internal and external audit activity, including preparation of evidence and documentation  

• Investigate payroll issues and errors, performing root cause analysis and supporting corrective actions 

Stakeholder Management 

• Act as a senior escalation point for complex payroll and pay-related employee queries 

• Work closely with HR Operations, Finance, and the third-party payroll provider to ensure data accuracy and timely processing  

• Provide clear, professional communication to employees, maintaining confidentiality and discretion  

• Support senior stakeholders with payroll data, insights, and reporting. 

• Support consistent ways of working across the payroll team 

Continuous Improvement & Systems 

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, accuracy, and resilience. 

• Support payroll system upgrades, implementations, or provider changes. 

• Maintain up‑to‑date payroll procedures and user guides. 

• Ensure payroll master data integrity and validation controls. 

• Share best practice and technical knowledge within the payroll team

As our Payroll Specialist you will have to following skills and expertise;

Essential 

• Extensive experience in UK end‑to‑end payroll within a corporate or shared services environment.  

• Strong practical knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements, including PAYE, National Insurance, RTI submissions, statutory payments, and auto‑enrolment pension regulations.  

• Experience working with third‑party payroll providers (e.g. ADP) and operating robust payroll controls in regulated environments.  

• Proven ability to manage payroll reconciliations, investigations, and resolve complex payroll and compliance issues.  

• Advanced Excel skills to support payroll validation, reconciliation, and reporting.  

• High attention to detail with strong analytical and organisational skills, and a confident communicator able to handle complex payroll queries. 

Desirable 

• Experience managing or overseeing outsourced payroll providers. 

• Experience working in a controlled environment (e.g. audit, SOX‑style controls). 

• Payroll qualification (e.g. CIPP Foundation or Diploma). 

• Experience supporting payroll systems implementations or upgrades. 

In order to be successful as our Payroll Specialist you will posses the following;

Personal Attributes 

• High attention to detail with excellent analytical skills. 

• Calm and decisive under time pressure (especially during payroll cut‑off). 

• Strong ownership and accountability mindset. 

• Confident communicator with the ability to challenge constructively. 

• High levels of discretion and integrity. 

• Collaborative team player with a continuous improvement mindset 

Key Measures of Success 

• Payroll activities delivered accurately and on time each cycle  

• Strong controls and reconciliations evidenced and maintained  

• Payroll issues resolved efficiently with minimal reoccurrence  

• Positive working relationships with HR, Finance, and payroll providers  

• High-quality service delivered to employees and stakeholders​

Canon Core Behaviours

• Drive for results

• Focus on the Customer

• Take ownership and accountability

• Act as a team player

• Shows courage and conviction

• People orientated

• Caring for self and others

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