Payroll officer

Confidential; Manchester, Salford; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Central Manchester location

25 days annual leave

Excellent pension arrangements

Discounted travel benefits

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Your new company in Manchester is seeking a Payroll Assistant to join a four-person payroll team and support end-to-end payroll for a large, diverse workforce. You will handle complex calculations, multiple pay frequencies, and pension schemes while ensuring accuracy and deadlines.

In return you will join a supportive organisation with long-term career development, a strong benefits package, and opportunities to contribute to payroll projects and process improvements within a hybrid working

Qualifications

• Previous payroll experience and understanding of payroll legislation.
• Familiar with PAYE, National Insurance, SSP and SMP.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Proficient in Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and within deadlines.
• Handle payroll queries and provide employee support.
• Calculate statutory payments, adjustments, and arrears.
• Support pension administration and payroll compliance activities.
• Assist with year-end payroll processes and statutory reporting.
• Produce payroll-related reports and management information.
• Support payroll projects, system enhancements, and process improvements.

Skills

Payroll experience

Payroll legislation (PAYE, NI, SSP, S

Excel

Communication skills

Deadline management

Attention to detail

Education

Payroll qualification

Job description

Your new company

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a well-established, nationally recognised organisation that plays a vital role in connecting people and communities across the UK. With a workforce of approximately 2000 employees and a strong focus on people, service, and continuous improvement, this organisation offers a collaborative and supportive environment where payroll is recognised as a key business function

Your new role

As a Payroll Assistant, you'll join a close-knit payroll team of four and report directly to the Payroll Manager. Supporting the end-to-end payroll process for a large and varied workforce, you'll gain exposure to complex payroll calculations, multiple pay frequencies, pension schemes, and evolving payroll legislation. Key responsibilities will include:

• Processing payroll accurately and within agreed deadlines
• Managing payroll queries and providing excellent employee support
• Calculating statutory payments, adjustments, and arrears
• Supporting pension administration and payroll compliance activities
• Assisting with year-end payroll processes and statutory reporting
• Producing payroll-related reports and management information
• Supporting payroll projects, system enhancements, and process improvements

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful, you'll have previous payroll experience and a good understanding of payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, SSP, and SMP. You will be highly organised, detail-oriented, and confident working to deadlines within a fast-paced environment.

You’ll also demonstrate:

• Previous payroll administration experience
• Strong numerical and analytical skills
• Good Excel and Microsoft Office knowledge
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• The ability to prioritise workload effectively
• Payroll qualifications (or working towards one) would be advantageous

What you’ll get in return

This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected organisation that offers long-term career development, a supportive team culture, and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Salary circa 33,000
• Permanent, full-time position
• Hybrid work (2-3 days in the office)
• Central Manchester location
• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service
• Outstanding pension arrangements
• Significant discounted travel benefits
• Exposure to complex payroll operations and career development opportunities