Payroll Data Analyst

Primark; Reading; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Primark is seeking a Payroll Data Analyst to support payroll transformation, system implementations, and operational improvements across a complex, multi-country organisation. You will analyse, validate, cleanse, and reconcile payroll data while collaborating with Payroll, HR, Finance, Technology, and external providers to ensure accuracy and compliance.

The role requires exposure to systems like Workday, SAP, Oracle, and ADP, with strong Excel, Power BI, and SQL skills.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Payroll Data Analyst or similar role.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, data structures, and controls.
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, Power Query.

Responsibilities

• Payroll data analysis, validation, and reconciliation across multiple systems.
• Data cleansing, transformation, QA, and migration activities.
• Transformation support for payroll system implementations and process improvements.
• Reporting and dashboards to provide insights and guidance.
• Investigate issues, resolve discrepancies, and advise fixes.
• Assist with audits and statutory reporting needs.
• Maintain validation, reconciliation, and control procedures.
• Support UAT and parallel payroll runs during implementations.

Skills

Payroll data analysis

Power BI

SQL

Advanced Excel

Data reconciliation

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Workday

SAP

Oracle

ADP

SD Worx

SuccessFactors

Job description

Contract Type: Day Rate (Inside IR35 if UK based)

About the Role

We’re hiring a Payroll Data Analyst to support payroll transformation, system implementations, and operational improvement across a complex, multi-country organisation. You’ll analyse, validate, cleanse, and reconcile payroll data while working closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, Technology, and external providers to ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll data analysis - Analyse, validate, and reconcile data across multiple systems.
• Data cleansing & migration - Support mapping, transformation, QA, and migration activities.
• Transformation support - Contribute to payroll system implementations and process improvements.
• Reporting & insights - Produce dashboards, reports, and actionable insights.
• Issue investigation - Resolve discrepancies and recommend fixes.
• Audit & compliance - Support statutory reporting and audit data needs.
• Controls & documentation - Maintain validation, reconciliation, and control processes.
• Testing support - Assist with UAT and parallel payroll runs during implementations.
• Proven experience as a Payroll Data Analyst or similar role.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, data structures, and controls.
• Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, Power Query).
• Experience working with large data sets and complex reconciliations.
• Exposure to payroll system implementations or upgrades.
• Excellent attention to detail, problem‑solving, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience partnering with Payroll, HR, Finance, and external providers.
• Knowledge of UK/international payroll.
• Familiarity with systems like Workday, SAP, Oracle, ADP, SD Worx, SuccessFactors.
• Experience with Power BI, SQL, or other visualisation tools.
• Background in payroll migrations or outsourcing programmes.
• Understanding of GDPR and payroll data governance.