Payroll Specialist

Jobtailor; Brighton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United Kingdom is seeking a hands-on UK Payroll Specialist to oversee the complete UK payroll cycle from processing to year-end activities. You will validate complex payroll data, perform reconciliations and ensure compliance with PAYE, National Insurance and statutory requirements.

The role focuses on data accuracy, control adherence and stakeholder collaboration with internal teams and external partners to deliver timely payroll and accurate reporting.

Qualifications

• Experienced hands-on UK payroll experience, including practical processing, tax and statutory requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance and employment law.
• Experience managing UK payroll returns, statutory reporting and payroll data.
• Knowledge of Modified Payroll is desirable or related experience.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of key activities across the UK payroll cycle with accurate, timely delivery.
• Process, review and validate complex UK payroll data including salary changes, absences and benefits.
• Perform detailed payroll reconciliations, validations and variance analysis.
• Manage UK payroll returns, reporting and data requirements.
• Apply UK payroll legislation to payroll activities and decisions.
• Analyse large payroll datasets to identify anomalies, risks and improvements.
• Own payroll issues through resolution with technical expertise and judgement.
• Coordinate year-end activities and statutory reporting with internal and external partners.
• Maintain payroll controls, SOPs and supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with UK legislation, internal policies, risk and audit standards.

Skills

UK payroll processing

PAYE expertise

National Insurance

Data management

Payroll reconciliation

Job description

• Take ownership of key activities across the UK payroll cycle, ensuring accurate and timely delivery
• Process, review and validate complex UK payroll data, including salary changes, variable compensation, absences, benefits and other payroll inputs
• Perform detailed payroll reconciliations, validations and variance analysis, identifying and resolving discrepancies
• Manage UK payroll returns, reporting and associated data requirements
• Manage and support Modified Payroll activities
• Apply UK payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, taxation and employment legislation to payroll activities and decisions
• Analyse large and complex payroll datasets to identify anomalies, trends, risks and improvement opportunities
• Own payroll issues through resolution using technical expertise and judgement
• Independently review and quality-check work while maintaining strong controls
• Coordinate and support UK tax filings, statutory reporting and year-end activities
• Partner with CEG, Controllership, external payroll partners and tax partners
• Manage external vendor relationships and service-level, timeline and quality standards
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, metrics and analysis for governance, month-end and year-end activities
• Maintain payroll controls, SOPs and supporting documentation
• Ensure compliance with UK legislation, internal policies, risk and control requirements, and audit standards
• Act as a UK payroll subject matter expert and support internal and external audits
• Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, simplify processes, and increase standardisation and automation
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently
• Resolve colleague payroll queries while balancing colleague experience, technical accuracy and compliance

Requirements

• Experienced hands-on UK payroll experience, including practical experience of UK payroll processing, tax and statutory requirements
• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and relevant UK employment legislation
• Experience managing UK payroll returns, statutory reporting and payroll data
• Experience of, or strong knowledge relating to, Modified Payroll is highly desirable
• Strong analytical and data management skills, with experience working with large or complex payroll datasets
• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed payroll reconciliations, validations and variance analysis
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to independently review and validate work accuracy
• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, exercise sound judgement and make informed decisions without close supervision
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Strong understanding of payroll controls, compliance and risk management
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver accurately against demanding payroll and statutory deadlines
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, including experience with internal partners and external vendors
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer service mindset while maintaining payroll controls and compliance standards
• Genuine interest in data, analytical and technical aspects of payroll, using data to improve accuracy, controls and processes
• Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the UK is required; the company will not pursue visa sponsorship

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive expertise in UK payroll processing, including compliance with UK payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, and statutory payments. Proficient in managing payroll data, performing detailed reconciliations, and leveraging analytical skills to enhance payroll accuracy and controls.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• UK Payroll Processing
• Payroll Legislation Compliance
• Data Analysis and Management
• Payroll Reconciliation and Validation
• Stakeholder Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• UK Payroll Processing
• Payroll Legislation
• PAYE
• National Insurance
• Statutory Payments
• Payroll Data Management
• Payroll Reconciliation
• Variance Analysis
• Modified Payroll
• Statutory Reporting

Soft Skills

• Attention to Detail
• Problem-Solving
• Relationship-Building
• Communication Skills
• Customer Service Mindset

Industry Keywords

• Payroll Controls
• Compliance
• Risk Management
• Audit Standards
• Data Accuracy