Payroll Lead

Extension Recruitment; Chester-le-Street; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

39 days holiday

Pension scheme

Health initiatives

Canteen subsidy

Job summary

Extension Recruitment is seeking a Payroll Lead to take ownership of the monthly UK payroll for approximately 450 employees. The role is permanent, full-time, with hybrid working up to two days per week from home and close collaboration with HR, Finance and an external payroll provider.

The successful candidate will ensure accurate payroll processing, stay compliant with UK legislation, and contribute to payroll improvements and future development of the function.

Qualifications

• Significant payroll experience with UK payroll regulation and processes.
• Experience with payroll systems and external providers to ensure accurate processing.
• Strong Excel, communication and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll process for UK employees.
• Prepare, validate and submit payroll data within deadlines.
• Review payroll outputs, reconciliations and audit trails for accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Manage statutory payments, year-end processes, P11Ds and PSAs.
• Support pensions, employee benefits and company car administration.
• Produce payroll, overtime and labour cost reports for management.
• Act as the main contact for payroll queries from HR, Finance and staff.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll systems and processes.

Skills

Excel

Data analysis

Communication

Tools

iTrent

Job description

Payroll Lead

Location: Gateshead

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Hybrid working: Up to two days per week from home

A highly successful global manufacturer is looking for an experienced Payroll Lead to take ownership of its monthly UK payroll for approximately 450 employees. This standalone Payroll Lead role offers the opportunity to manage a varied payroll operation while contributing to process improvements and the future development of the payroll function.

Working closely with HR, Finance and the external payroll provider, the Payroll Lead will ensure payroll information is accurate, authorised and processed within agreed deadlines. The role will also provide support across pensions, employee benefits, company cars, reporting and payroll-related projects.

Key responsibilities

• Managing the end-to-end monthly payroll process


• Preparing, validating and submitting payroll data


• Reviewing payroll outputs, reconciliations and audit trails


• Ensuring compliance with UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements


• Managing statutory payments, year-end processes, P11Ds and PSAs


• Supporting pensions, benefits and company car administration


• Producing payroll, overtime and labour cost reports


• Acting as the main contact for payroll queries


• Identifying opportunities to improve payroll systems and processes

About you

The successful Payroll Lead will have significant payroll experience, strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and experience working with payroll systems and external providers. The Payroll Lead will be highly accurate, organised and confident working independently. Strong Excel, communication and data analysis skills are also important.

Experience of iTrent, IR35, international payroll arrangements, employee benefits or a manufacturing environment would be advantageous but is not essential.

• Benefits include hybrid working, up to 39 days’ holiday, a strong pension scheme, health initiatives and a subsidised canteen.

We’re committed to promoting inclusive opportunities.