Payroll & Benefits Specialist – Mandarin Speaking

Project People; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Project People seeks a detail-oriented Payroll & Benefits Specialist in Cambridge to manage end-to-end UK payroll, pension, and benefits administration, while ensuring strict statutory compliance. You will bridge local operations with global HQ and handle pay/tax queries, vendor management, and cross-border projects.

Requirements include 3+ years in UK payroll, fluency in English and Mandarin, strong UK payroll knowledge, advanced Excel, and experience with HRIS/payroll systems such as Workday

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in UK payroll operations.
• Proficiency in English and Mandarin.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation and pension administration.
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables) and HRIS/payroll systems exposure.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end UK payroll, pension, and benefits administration.
• Support local compensation activities and statutory compliance.
• Handle employee pay and tax queries and manage vendor contracts.

Skills

UK payroll operations

Advanced Excel

HRIS/payroll systems

Cross-cultural communication

English

Mandarin

Tools

Workday

SAP SuccessFactors

Job description

We are seeking a detail-oriented Payroll & Benefits Specialist on behalf of our client in Cambridge. In this role, you will manage end-to-end UK payroll, pension, and benefits administration, support local compensation activities, and ensure strict statutory compliance.

Serving as a key bridge between local operations and global headquarters, you will also handle employee pay and tax queries, manage external vendors, and support international mobility frameworks.

What You Will Be Doing

• UK Payroll management: Oversee end-to-end monthly payroll, attendance, leave, taxable benefits, leavers, and funding
• Pensions & Benefits: Administer auto-enrolment pensions and insurance schemes (medical, Group Life, travel, Employer's Liability), including renewals and claims
• Compensation & Incentives: Support salary reviews, bonus payment, incentives, and compensation framework evaluations.
• Expatriate Tax: Coordinate end-to-end expatriate tax filings, accounting processes, and payments.
• Statutory Compliance & Reporting: Ensure adherence to UK payroll laws (PAYE, RTI, NI) and manage filings (P60, P45, P11D(B), PSA, Gender Pay Gap) and GDPR
• HQ Coordination: Liaison with headquarter stakeholders for reporting, cross-border projects, and documentation
• Vendor & Employee Support: Handle employee pay/tax queries and manage third-party vendor contracts, POs, and invoices

What We Are Looking For

• 3+ years' experience in UK payroll operations experience
• Professional working proficiency in both English and Mandarin
• Solid understanding of UK payroll legislation and pension administration.
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and hands-on experience with HRIS/payroll systems.
• High numerical accuracy, exceptional attention to detail, discretion with confidential data, and strong cross-cultural communication skills.
• Desirable - Experience with expatriate tax filing or international mobility payroll
• Desirable - Experience with incentive and bonus administration
• Desirable - Familiarity with Gender Pay Gap reporting, PSA/NSR filings, and audit support.
• Desirable - Experience with HR platforms such as Workday / SAP SuccessFactors / similar HR systems.