Payroll Administrator

Sopra Steria - UK; North East; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is looking for a Payroll Administrator to process payroll for over 7,000 employees. You will deliver accurate payroll and pension services from the Newcastle office, working three days onsite. Ideal candidates will have experience in large-scale payroll processes and a solid understanding of statutory regulations. This role offers hybrid working and opportunities for career growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience handling large-scale payroll processing with multiple demands.
• Solid understanding of payroll and pension procedures, including current statutory regulations (e.g. Tax, NI, Mat Pay).
• Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel, and experienced with payroll systems and reporting tools.
• Strong communication skills and confidence engaging with collaborators at all levels.
• Customer-focused approach with experience in service-oriented roles.
• Collaborative teammate with a supportive approach.
• Excellent time management and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• High numeracy and literacy skills (minimum A/B GCSE level).

Responsibilities

• Process and administer end-to-end payroll operations for approximately 7,000 employees.
• Administer various pension schemes such as NHS, My Civil Service Pension, LGPS.
• Deliver proactive customer service and resolve payroll queries.
• Support payroll-related projects and tasks.

Skills

Large-scale payroll processing

Understanding payroll and pension procedures

MS Office proficiency (especially Excel)

Strong communication skills

Customer-focused approach

Excellent time management

High numeracy and literacy skills

Education

Minimum A/B GCSE level

Job description

Join a team where precision meets purpose. As a Payroll Administrator supporting over 7,000 employees, you’ll be at the heart of delivering accurate, timely payroll and pension services that directly shape the employee experience. Working within the dynamic People Hub, you’ll play a key role in upholding service excellence, driving operational efficiency, and ensuring every detail counts—because behind every payslip is a person who depends on it.

The People Hub will be joining us in the Newcastle office in the coming months, following a transition of its operations out of Stockton. This brings new opportunity to our Newcastle teams, as we hire into this area.

You’ll be based onsite at our Newcastle office three days a week (Tuesday to Thursday), with the flexibility to work from home on the remaining days. During the initial training period, occasional travel to our Stockton office may be required.

What you'll be doing:

• Process and administer end-to-end payroll operations for approximately 7,000 employees, including BACS creation.
• Optimally cover all payroll tasks for a designated business area, which includes starters, leavers, changes, and ad-hoc payments and deductions.
• Administer various pension schemes such as NHS, My Civil Service Pension, LGPS, and other defined benefit/contribution plans.
• Carry out timely and accurate processing of auto-enrolment and pension contribution changes in line with regulations.
• Make sure all company benefit data is calculated and processed correctly which includes payments of holiday pay and a wide range of flexible benefits across salary sacrifice and non-salary sacrifice schemes.
• Handle statutory payments and absence data in accordance with HMRC guidelines.
• Deliver proactive customer service and resolve payroll queries raised via the HR case management system.
• Support payroll-related projects and tasks, including TUPE transfers and issuing formal letters.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven experience handling large-scale payroll processing with multiple demands.
• Solid understanding of payroll and pension procedures, including current statutory regulations (e.g. Tax, NI, Mat Pay).
• Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel, and experienced with payroll systems and reporting tools.
• Strong communication skills and confidence engaging with collaborators at all levels.
• Customer-focused approach with experience in service-oriented roles.
• Collaborative teammate with a supportive approach.
• Excellent time management and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• High numeracy and literacy skills (minimum A/B GCSE level).

If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!

Employment Type:Full-time, Permanent.
Location:Newcastle (Hybrid - 3days PW).
Security Clearance Level:SC.
Internal Recruiter:Becky.
Level: 1.

Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us?
Our business is, first and foremost, about people. And it always has been. The solutions we develop are driven by the connections they make and the problems they solve. Our services only matter if they work for people and if they serve a greater purpose. Known for our collaborative approach, we provide consulting and digital services, creating innovative solutions, at scale, to deliver sustainable growth and services that make life better.
Our work touches many lives in the UK. From helping the Government provide essential public and health services that offer more convenience and choice, to improving financial services to deliver fairer, customer-centric solutions.
Together we are building a better future by delivering real and lasting value.
We are just at the start of what we can achieve together. Come and join us!