Payroll Officer

Handelsbanken plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading relationship bank in the UK is seeking a Payroll Officer for a fixed-term position (12 months). The role involves supporting the payroll workstream of an HR system implementation, testing, and contribution to operational readiness. The ideal candidate will have experience in UK payroll and Workday systems, strong documentation skills, and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders. Competitive salary and benefits are provided, including private medical insurance and a market-leading pension contribution.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Income protection

Life assurance

15% pension contribution

Qualifications

• Experience of UK payroll and working with HR and Payroll systems.
• Ability to support process design activities effectively with SMEs.
• Good knowledge of HMRC reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support process design workshops with SMEs and Workday.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and document results.
• Proactively suggest improvements in Payroll processes.

Skills

UK payroll experience

Workday payroll experience

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Organizational skills

Process improvement

Education

CIPP qualification (desirable)

Job description

Job Introduction

An exciting opportunity to join the UK Payroll team as Payroll Officer on a fixed term basis (12 months) to support the payroll workstream of the HR system implementation (Workday). The role will work alongside the Payroll Manager contributing to process documentation, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), parallel running and operational readiness activities. There will also be an expectation to develop an understanding of business as usual activities (BAU) and support as required.

Main Responsibilities

• Support specific process design workshops with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Workday.
• Support the development of required documentation including workbooks, smartsheets, and business requirements.
• Support the development of test case scenarios for the Workday Payroll module.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) including executing test scenarios and documenting results.
• Support activities associated with the parallel running of the UK payroll and documenting results.
• Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Payroll team using bank templates.
• Support operational readiness activities such as training materials, user guides, and communications.
• Complete required Workday training modules.
• Support the UK Payroll team in the transition to the new system.
• Be an ambassador for the new HR System.
• Develop an understanding of the current UK Payroll processes.
• Support the Payroll team with delivering key business as usual (BAU) activities in peak periods.
• Proactively suggest process improvements and identify opportunities to optimise Payroll processes.
• Operates in line with the Bank's Risk Management framework (including sub-frameworks) and relevant risk and compliance policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate and timely escalation of any concerns to their line manager.

Ideal Candidate

Research (by Harvard University) shows that women are particularly likely to second guess themselves and not apply - so if you are worried you don't meet all the criteria, get in touch anyhow and let us do the worrying...

• Experience of UK payroll and working with HR and Payroll systems.
• Experience of Workday payroll. Involvement in a Workday systems implementation highly desirable.
• Ability to support process design activities and work effectively with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and external vendors.
• Good working knowledge of HMRC reporting requirements.
• Experience producing clear and accurate documentation, including business requirements, SOPs, user guides and training materials.
• Familiarity with testing activities, including test case development, User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and tracking.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to support payroll runs and assist with validation and documentation of outcomes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to act as an ambassador for system change.
• Organised and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines particularly during the implementation phase and peak payroll periods.
• Demonstrates ability to identify process improvements opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Willingness to complete required system training, including Workday modules.
• Collaborative team player with a flexible approach to supporting both project and BAU activities.
• CIPP qualified desirable.

Company Information

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a local business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a bespoke service. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products.

The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.

Check our Handelsbanken website for further information

At Handelsbanken, we deeply value our unique culture and values including trust in and respect for each individual. We take pride in nurturing a work environment where people flourish, and where they are empowered to take decisions in their areas of expertise. We take a long term perspective in everything we do and want each employee who joins us to build a long terms successful career with the Bank.

What is in it for you?

• We have a wide range of learning and development available, empowering and enabling our colleagues to take ownership of their own development.
• Competitive Salary and an extensive range of benefits is provided, including private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance
• A market-leading pension contribution of 15% paid by the bank, which can be invested in a wide range of funds (including ESG and Shariah funds)

Application next steps

Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken recruiters will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.

How can we support you to be your best self? Our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to provide support e.g. if you need additional time to prepare for an interview or you have any requirements for any part of the interview/hiring process - just let us know by email [e-mail] .

This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. However, please note that after the two weeks, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.