Lead Payroll Specialist

Global Payments; Manchester; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Payments is seeking a Lead Payroll Specialist to manage UK and European payroll operations, partnering with in-house and outsourced vendors to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely pay runs.

You will audit payroll data, stay compliant with changing local laws, and provide clear reporting to stakeholders while maintaining GDPR standards and data security.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience as payroll administrator/specialist/analyst.
• Knowledge of UK payroll legislation.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication at all levels.
• Good numeracy and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with GDPR/compliance and payroll controls.

Responsibilities

• Execute preparation and processing of UK & European payrolls to meet deadlines and quality standards.
• Manage relationships with external payroll vendors and SLA adherence.
• Perform final payroll audits for accuracy of wages, tax withholdings and deductions.
• Ensure statutory and year-end returns are filed timely.
• Stay updated on local legislation changes affecting payroll compliance.
• Maintain data integrity in HRIS/Payroll systems via regular reconciliation.
• Update payroll policies and manuals; support internal/external audits.
• Respond to payroll queries from vendors, HRBP, employees and agencies.

Skills

Payroll processing

UK payroll legislation

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Numeracy

Deadline-driven

GDPR/compliance knowledge

Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Ready to take your career global?Make your mark at one of the biggest names in payments. We’re looking for an experienced Lead Payroll Specialist to join our ever evolving payroll team and help shape the future of global commerce.Summary of This RoleWe are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to fulfil this diverse role.You will ensure the smooth operation of multiple UK and European payrolls through partnering with in-house and outsourced payroll vendors. You will ensure that all regulatory and legal requirements are met and the end user experience is of high standard.This is an excellent opportunity at a global organisation.What You’ll OwnExecute the preparation and processing of UK & European Payrolls ensuring deadlines are met and high-quality standards are consistently delivered leading to a good employee experienceManage the relationship with external payroll vendors and ensure adherence to agreed SLA’s and expected service delivery standardsPerform final audits of payroll data for each pay run to ensure accuracy of gross to calculations, verifying calculations of wages, tax withholdings and deductions.Ensure the accurate and timely filing of statutory and year-end returnsStay current with local legislation changes to ensure payroll complianceEnsure data integrity within the HRIS/Payroll systems through regular reconciliationMaintain relevant Payroll policies, procedures and manualsEvaluate existing payroll workflows for efficienciesAssist with internal and external audits as requiredMaintain the payroll inbox and actively respond to queries from payroll vendors, HR Business Partners, employees, and external agencies as required.Act as a contact point for complex queries regarding pay, taxes and deductions and communicate payroll information to various stakeholdersConduct payroll reconciliations as neededProvide information and prepare reports for various areas of the organization and managers as required.Manage and/or participate in payroll projects as requiredMaintain confidentiality at all levels and protect payroll operations by adhering to GDPR regulations or any other local data protection lawsWhat you’ll bringThe essential skills for this role include:Minimum 3 years previous experience as a payroll administrator/specialist/analyst, preferably within professional services.Knowledge of UK payroll legislationExcellent attention to detailGood written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively, succinctly and professionally at all levelsGood numeracy skillsExperience of working to tight deadlines and the ability to handle competing demands for serviceProblem analysis and resolutionStrong excel skills (Vlookups, Pivots) essentialCommitment to maintaining good standards within payrollAbility to work well in a fast-paced environment and to meet all deadlinesSensitivity and discretion in providing adviceAbility to work well in a teamAble to process large volumes of data quickly and accuratelyAbout the teamOur inclusive and global teams win together every day. We’re proud to have the best minds in the industry, who you can learn from as you grow your career. The people, the energy, the connections – it’s unmatched. Come and be part of an ever-evolving company and get dynamic opportunities that go beyond borders.What makes a Globalpayer?Globalpayers think like a client, act like an owner and win as one team. We’re curious and innovative – always finding better ways to deliver impact. We empower each other to make decisions, and it’s our passion that drives excellence in everything we set out to do.