Payroll Partner

Dr. Martens plc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Buy as you Earn share scheme

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Life Assurance

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Volunteer days

Job summary

Dr. Martens in the United Kingdom is seeking a Payroll Partner to join the People team and oversee payroll across the UK and selected EU countries.

You will work with Finance, HRIS and external providers to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery and governance across multiple geographies. You will partner with stakeholders, maintain up-to-date payroll knowledge including legislation and year-end processes, and contribute to continuous improvement of payroll systems and employee

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering accurate UK payroll and EU payroll operations.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, tax, deductions and year-end processes.
• Experience with Dayforce payroll platform and related systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across Finance, HR and external providers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and high-pressure situations.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll delivery across the UK and EU, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant processing.
• Provide expert payroll governance and act as primary point of contact for payroll queries.
• Collaborate with Finance, HRIS, People Operations and payroll providers across functions.
• Maintain payroll compliance and stay up to date with regulatory changes across geographies.
• Drive continuous improvement in payroll processes, systems and employee experience.

Skills

Payroll expertise

UK & EU payroll

Payroll legislation & tax

Data accuracy & controls

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

CIPP qualification (advantage)

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

Dayforce

Job description

Dr. Martens is more than a brand - it’s a global icon with over 60 years of attitude, heritage, and cultural impact. We’re a thriving, values‑driven business powered by diverse thinkers, bold doers, and people who bring their whole selves to work. If you’re ready to make your mark, you’re in the right place.

At DM, our values guide everything we do: Be Yourself, Act Courageously, Show You Care. They’re not just words - they’re how we turn passion into progress.

WHERE YOU SIT

As our Payroll Partner, you’ll be part of the People team working closely with brilliant people across the business and reporting into Senior Payroll Lead. You’ll be right at the heart of fast‑moving projects that shape how we show up for our consumers - today and tomorrow.

WHERE YOU CONTRIBUTE

The Payroll Partner plays a critical role in delivering accurate, compliant and timely payroll across the UK and selected EU countries. Acting as a trusted partner to People, Finance and the wider business, the role combines strong technical payroll expertise with proactive stakeholder support. Through rigorous controls, data accuracy and close collaboration with internal teams and third‑party providers, the role underpins employee trust, regulatory compliance and effective financial management.

Core Accountabilities

As our Payroll Partner, you will be responsible for:

• Managing end-to-end payroll delivery across the UK and EU, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant processing of payroll, statutory deductions, pensions, benefits, payments and year-end activities in line with local legislation.
• Providing expert payroll support and governance, acting as the primary point of contact for payroll queries, managing adjustments and corrections, ensuring accurate statutory reporting, maintaining robust controls and supporting audit readiness.
• Partnering across Finance, HRIS, People Operations and payroll providers, ensuring payroll systems, reconciliations, reporting and financial close activities are delivered effectively while maintaining strong collaboration across functions.
• Maintaining payroll compliance and legislative expertise, keeping up to date with tax, payroll and regulatory changes across relevant geographies and ensuring payroll processes remain compliant and effective.
• Driving continuous improvement and capability, enhancing payroll processes, systems and employee experience while supporting knowledge sharing and capability development across the Payroll and People Operations teams.

Key Skills & Capabilities

Put simply, the key things we’re looking for are:

• Strong payroll expertise, with extensive experience delivering accurate UK payroll and supporting EU payroll operations within complex or multi-country organisations, alongside a strong understanding of payroll legislation, tax, statutory deductions and year-end processes.
• Excellent technical and systems capability, with confidence using payroll and HRIS platforms, particularly Dayforce, while maintaining exceptional attention to detail, data accuracy and strong financial controls.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, able to explain complex payroll matters clearly and build effective partnerships with Finance, People teams, employees and external payroll providers.
• Excellent organisation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, resolve payroll issues effectively and perform well under pressure.
• A high level of integrity and professionalism, demonstrating discretion, accountability and a commitment to continuous learning, with a CIPP qualification or equivalent experience considered advantageous.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Hybrid working
• Welcome free pair of Docs
• ‘Buy as you Earn’ Share scheme
• 65% off all Docs
• 50% off Accessories
• Pension Scheme through Aviva
• Life Assurance
• 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
• Private healthcare
• 2 paid volunteer days per year

READY TO FILL YOUR BOOTS?

If you’re excited to own your impact, shape the future of an iconic brand, and grow your career in a place that champions individuality - we’d love to hear from you.

Application closing date: Tuesday 18th of August 2026

At Dr. Martens, we are committed to creating an environment in which we can all be our best and bring our authentic selves to work. We encourage applications, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability. Diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our brand; helping us to speak authentically to our consumers.

We strive to develop a business where our people can thrive and feel empowered to express themselves. Because we believe everyone should feel supported and included whatever their role in the Dr. Martens community.