Payroll Administrator

Arco Recruitment Ltd; Polegate; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday (+8 bank holidays)

Group bonus scheme

Enhanced pension scheme (5% employer,

Job summary

Arco Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Payroll Administrator to join a busy UK payroll team supporting 2,000+ employees. You will process monthly payrolls, manage data for starters and leavers, and ensure HMRC compliance and year-end tasks.

This full-time, on-site role runs 40 hours per week, 8:30am-5:30pm, Monday to Friday, in Polegate. A rigorous attention to detail, strong Excel skills and experience with payroll software (iTrent, Sage or similar) are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in payroll administration or a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, including statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, etc.).
• Understanding of payroll year-end processes including P60s, P11Ds, and P45s.
• Good understanding of UK PAYE, National Insurance, and HMRC reporting requirements.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet strict deadlines.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Accurately process monthly payroll in line with company deadlines, ensuring compliance with HMRC and statutory requirements.
• Collate, review, and input data for new starters, leavers, overtime, expenses, bonuses, and other payroll exceptions.
• Submit payroll files to MHR and manage the validation process, resolving discrepancies before final submission.
• Prepare and submit BACS payments, PAYE, and payroll certificates, ensuring all approvals are in place.
• Maintain awareness of legislative changes impacting payroll and statutory payments.
• Administer pension auto-enrolment, opt-ins, opt-outs, and re-enrolment cycles for all brands.
• Produce pension letters and upload to colleague records, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Manage colleague benefit data (private health care, group income protection, life assurance) and liaise with providers on updates and renewals.
• Produce accurate reports to support gender pay gap submissions, P11D reporting, and other statutory filings.
• Maintain accurate and confidential payroll and HR records to support audits and reporting requirements.
• Spot-check payroll monthly and provide findings to the HR Manager.
• Update and share bonus eligibility and absence reports with Finance and HR teams.
• Liaise with HMRC and other external agencies regarding tax codes, statutory payments, and compliance queries.
• Act as the first point of contact for payroll and benefit queries, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
• Provide guidance to colleagues on statutory pay entitlements including maternity, paternity, and SSP.
• Support HR colleagues with payroll-related processes to ensure a seamless colleague experience.

Skills

Payroll administration

UK payroll

Excel proficiency

Data confidentiality

Education

A-Levels or equivalent

Tools

iTrent

Sage

Job description

Our client is a well-respected business with close to 2,000 employees. We are looking for an experienced Payroll Administrator who can work as part of a team to handle the business's payroll requirements.

This is a full-time permanent position and the hours are 8:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday (40 hour working week).

Details of the position are as follows:

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in payroll administration or a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, including statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, etc.).
• Understanding of payroll year-end processes including P60s, P11Ds, and P45s.
• Good understanding of UK PAYE, National Insurance, and HMRC reporting requirements.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet strict deadlines.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable

• Experience using payroll software (e.g., iTrent, Sage, or similar).
• Experience working in a multi-site or large business environment.
• Knowledge of pension auto-enrolment processes.
• Experience liaising with HMRC and other third-party providers.
• Awareness of GDPR and data protection compliance within payroll.

Main Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Compliance

• Accurately process monthly payroll in line with company deadlines, ensuring compliance with HMRC and statutory requirements.
• Collate, review, and input data for new starters, leavers, overtime, expenses, bonuses, and other payroll exceptions.
• Submit payroll files to MHR and manage the validation process, resolving discrepancies before final submission.
• Prepare and submit BACS payments, PAYE, and payroll certificates, ensuring all approvals are in place.
• Maintain awareness of legislative changes impacting payroll and statutory payments.

Pensions & Benefits Administration

• Administer pension auto-enrolment, opt-ins, opt-outs, and re-enrolment cycles for all brands.
• Produce pension letters and upload to colleague records, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Manage colleague benefit data (private health care, group income protection, life assurance) and liaise with providers on updates and renewals.
• Produce accurate reports to support gender pay gap submissions, P11D reporting, and other statutory filings.

Reporting & Data Management

• Maintain accurate and confidential payroll and HR records to support audits and reporting requirements.
• Spot-check payroll monthly and provide findings to the HR Manager.
• Update and share bonus eligibility and absence reports with Finance and HR teams.
• Liaise with HMRC and other external agencies regarding tax codes, statutory payments, and compliance queries.

Colleague Support

• Act as the first point of contact for payroll and benefit queries, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
• Provide guidance to colleagues on statutory pay entitlements including maternity, paternity, and SSP.
• Support HR colleagues with payroll-related processes to ensure a seamless colleague experience.

Skills, Experience and Behaviours

• A-Levels or equivalent (Degree in Accounting or related field preferred).
• Minimum 1 years' experience in a payroll role, ideally in a multi-site environment.
• Strong numerical aptitude and attention to detail, with experience using Excel (formulas, reporting).
• Knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory reporting requirements.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally.

What Success Looks Like

• Payroll is processed accurately and on time every month, with no missed deadlines.
• Colleague queries are resolved efficiently, maintaining trust and confidentiality.
• Statutory reporting and compliance requirements are met consistently.
• HR and Finance colleagues have accurate and timely payroll data for decision-making.

Benefits Package

• Up to c 36k basic salary (depending on experience)
• 25 days holiday (+8 bank holidays)
• Group bonus scheme
• Enhanced pension scheme (5% employer, 3% employee)
• Employee assistance programme