Payroll Advisor

JGA Recruitment; Bolton le Sands; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd is seeking a Payroll Advisor to join a growing payroll team within a professional services environment in Bolton. You will manage a portfolio of end-to-end client payrolls, handle complex payroll queries, and support junior colleagues while contributing to process improvements.

The role requires around 3–4+ years UK payroll experience, payroll bureau exposure, and knowledge of UK payroll legislation.

Qualifications

• Around 3–4+ years UK payroll experience.
• Payroll bureau / outsourced payroll experience is essential.
• BrightPay or STAR experience is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and best practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage and process a portfolio of end-to-end client payrolls across varying sizes and complexities.
• Handle technical payroll queries and provide clients with accurate, practical advice.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately and in line with UK legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Review outputs and complete BACS payments in line with internal controls.
• Build relationships with clients and understand their payroll requirements.
• Monitor deadlines and service levels, supporting junior colleagues as needed.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and technical support to junior payroll staff.
• Review work from peers and offer constructive feedback.

Skills

UK payroll legislation

Portfolio management

Client communication

Attention to detail

Managing client payrolls

Tools

BrightPay

STAR

Job description

Payroll Advisor

Salary: Up to £37,000
Location: Bolton
Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days home
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday Friday
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Role

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Payroll Advisor to join a well-established and growing payroll team within a professional services environment.

You ll take responsibility for a portfolio of clients, processing complex end-to-end payrolls while acting as a key point of contact for payroll queries. You ll also have the opportunity to support junior colleagues, contribute to technical projects and help improve processes across the wider payroll function.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and process a portfolio of end-to-end client payrolls across varying sizes and complexities.
• Handle technical payroll queries and provide clients with accurate, practical advice.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately and in line with UK legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Review and issue payroll outputs and complete BACS payments in line with internal controls.
• Build strong relationships with clients and understand their individual payroll requirements.
• Monitor workloads and ensure key payroll deadlines and service levels are consistently achieved.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and technical support to junior payroll colleagues.
• Review work completed by other team members and provide constructive feedback where required.
• Maintain accurate client payroll procedures and process documentation.
• Support payroll software testing, upgrades and wider technical projects.
• Complete payroll controls and checks to support audit and compliance requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, efficiency and overall client service.

Ideal Candidate

• Around 3 4+ years UK payroll experience.
• Payroll bureau / outsourced payroll experience is essential.
• BrightPay/ STAR experience would be advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and industry best practice.
• Experience managing a portfolio of clients and multiple payroll deadlines.
• Confident handling more complex payroll queries and technical issues.
• Previous experience supporting, reviewing or supervising junior colleagues would be beneficial.
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to deal directly with clients.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd ("We") are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. We are also committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We are a specialist payroll, HR & Reward recruitment agency and recruitment business as defined in the Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (our business). These statements together with our privacy notices set out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.