Payroll Specialist

Dept Agency; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A growth invention firm seeks a skilled Payroll Specialist in Manchester to manage payroll for the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The role requires extensive experience in UK payroll processes, proficiency in ADP Celergo, and excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with tax regulations, processing payroll adjustments, and liaising with ADP. This position is hybrid and offers a 12-month FTC maternity cover.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in payroll management, ideally within a global or international setting.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll; Ireland payroll knowledge is a plus.
• Proficiency in ADP Celergo with experience managing payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end payroll for UK, Ireland, and Australia.
• Manage payroll operations using ADP Celergo for accuracy.
• Liaise with ADP to resolve technical issues and ensure compliance.

Skills

Payroll management

ADP Celergo

UK payroll knowledge

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Excel proficiency

Job description

Payroll Specialist Manchester, hybrid 12 month 32 hour FTC Maternity Cover

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner‑led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

JOB PURPOSE

This role is at the center of our Holding team in London and Manchester. We’ve got a mix of skills here, from Finance and Hospitality to Recruitment, People & Culture, IT Support and Marketing. Think of us as the backbone of the company, keeping things running smoothly and helping out everywhere we can. We’re the ones who answer questions, toss around ideas, offer support, and plan those fun outings and initiatives everyone loves. We’re the reliable crew that everyone counts on to keep things rolling.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a highly skilled Payroll Specialist with extensive experience in UK and Ireland payroll processes and proficiency in ADP Celergo. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing payroll across multiple entities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with tax and statutory regulations. You will liaise with ADP and DEPT® employees to address and resolve any payroll‑related issues.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Process end‑to‑end payroll for UK, Ireland, and Australia including tax deductions, pension contributions, and other statutory requirements.
• Efficiently manage payroll operations using ADP Celergo, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflows.
• Liaise directly with ADP to resolve technical issues, implement system updates, and ensure payroll compliance.
• Maintain compliance with UK and Ireland payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, RTI, and P60 submissions.
• Proactively identify potential payroll issues and elevate them to the ADP team for timely resolution.
• Manage payroll adjustments, bonuses, overtime, and deductions, ensuring accuracy.
• Stay up‑to‑date with changes in UK and Ireland payroll laws and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Collaborate closely with People and Finance teams to ensure data accuracy and provide payroll insights.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll‑related queries from People colleagues, leads, and employees.
• Facilitate audits by providing necessary payroll records and documentation to auditors.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Extensive experience in payroll management, ideally within a global or international setting.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll (Ireland payroll knowledge is a plus).
• Proficiency in ADP Celergo with experience managing payroll systems and compliance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of interacting with employees at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A collaborative team player who can thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.