Payroll Specialist

Catalyst Partners; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An international professional services firm is seeking a Payroll Specialist in Manchester. Responsibilities include managing payroll processes, liaising with vendors, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Ideal candidates will have payroll experience and strong knowledge of UK payroll laws. This role is full-time within the Human Resources function.

Qualifications

• Payroll experience within professional services or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK PAYE and statutory payroll regulations.
• Advanced Excel skills for complex payroll analysis.

Responsibilities

• Manage preparation and processing of UK and international payrolls.
• Liaise with payroll vendors, responding to queries.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and statutory requirements.

Skills

Payroll experience within professional services

Knowledge of UK PAYE and payroll regulations

Advanced Excel skills

Understanding of UK parental leave rules

Job description

My client is an international professional services firm that prides itself on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. They are seeking a Payroll Specialist to join their team. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing end-to-end payroll processes across the UK and international entities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the preparation and processing of UK and international payrolls (both in-house and outsourced).
• Provide accurate payroll data to external payroll vendors within agreed deadlines.
• Calculate complex international payments, deductions, and pro‑rata amounts.
• Liaise with payroll vendors, responding to queries and ensuring accurate processing.
• Review and verify payroll inputs and reports prior to sign‑off.
• Prepare monthly payroll sign‑off analysis for senior management.
• Maintain the payroll inbox and ensure timely responses to employee queries.
• Prepare and submit pension contributions and third‑party payments (e.g. tax authorities, benefit providers).
• Reconcile payroll‑related accounts and benefit balances (e.g. loans, season tickets, cycle‑to‑work schemes).
• Produce payroll analysis and reports as required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and third‑party providers.
• Ensure all payroll processes comply with company policies and statutory requirements.
• Support the implementation of a new payroll solution, including data migration, process design, and testing.
• Assist with ongoing payroll and process improvement projects.

Experience and Knowledge Required

• Payroll experience within professional services or a similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK PAYE and statutory payroll regulations.
• Experience managing international payrolls is desirable.
• Ability to perform manual gross‑to‑net calculations and understand UK tax and benefit implications.
• Strong understanding of UK parental leave and statutory payment rules.
• Advanced Excel skills for complex payroll analysis and reconciliation.
• Experience managing both in‑house and outsourced payrolls.
• Excellent understanding of UK benefits and pensions administration via payroll.
• Confident in identifying and implementing process improvements.

Seniority level

Associate

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Human Resources

Industries

Professional Services

Location: Manchester Area, United Kingdom