Payroll Specialist

COREcruitment Ltd; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 48,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Payroll Specialist for a fixed-term contract in Leeds. This role is pivotal in leading the transition of payroll operations to an external provider, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, and delivering exceptional service to employees. Ideal candidates will have a CIPP qualification and proven payroll management experience, alongside strong analytical skills and advanced proficiency in Excel. Join a collaborative environment where your expertise will drive process improvements and enhance employee satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Proven payroll management experience with CIPP qualification or equivalent.
• Strong analytical skills and advanced Excel proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll operations transition to an external provider.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing and compliance.
• Manage payroll calculations and produce related reports.

Skills

CIPP qualification

Payroll management experience

Advanced Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Change management experience

Tools

Payroll/HR systems

Job description

Job Description

Payroll Specialist (Fixed Term Contract, 9–12 Months), Leeds (4 days in the office) 48k

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager for a 9–12 month fixed-term contract to lead our payroll function and support the transition to an external payroll provider. This role is critical in ensuring accurate, timely payroll processing and compliance, while delivering excellent service to our employees.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the transition of payroll operations to an external provider, including process mapping, data migration, and knowledge transfer.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with policies and regulations.
• Manage payroll calculations, including bonuses, tronc, statutory leave, and site tips allocation.
• Produce payroll-related reports, reconciliations, budgets, and forecasts; support internal and external audits.
• Maintain and manage payroll systems, collaborating with IT and HR to resolve issues and implement improvements.
• Serve as the main point of contact for payroll inquiries, delivering exceptional employee service.
• Ensure compliance with payroll regulations, tax requirements, and manage year-end and HMRC reporting.
• Prepare and manage employee benefits data (pensions, P11Ds, company cars, private healthcare).
• Identify and implement process improvements and efficiencies within the payroll function.

Key Skills & Attributes:

• CIPP qualification (or equivalent) with proven payroll management experience.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical skills, and advanced Excel proficiency.
• Experience with payroll/HR systems implementation and process improvement.
• Excellent communicator, able to build relationships and challenge at all levels.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Experience supporting change management and upskilling people managers.