Payroll Specialist - UK Payroll (12-Month Contract)

A&O Shearman; Dromore; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in Belfast is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join the Payroll team on a 12‑month fixed-term contract. You will manage monthly UK payrolls, validate data, and ensure accurate payments while handling contractor payroll within IR35 and HMRC obligations.

You will have strong end-to-end UK payroll knowledge, proficiency with payroll systems, and the ability to work closely with HR Operations. The role demands accuracy, timeliness, and collaborative problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in processing a comparable sized UK payroll.
• End-to-end UK payroll knowledge: PAYE, NIC, pensions auto-enrolment, RTI.
• Experience in reconciling general ledger accounts.
• In-house payroll experience with outsourced payroll providers is a plus.
• Professional payroll qualification (CIPP) or membership.

Responsibilities

• Process UK payrolls from data collection to final outputs, ensuring timely payment.
• Handle payroll changes: starters, leavers, contractual changes, overtime, deductions.
• Calculate statutory payments, family-related leave, salary sacrifice, and loans.
• Administer contractor payments for inside IR35 and HMRC notifications.
• Prepare reconciliations and year-end processes with the Payroll Manager.
• Respond to payroll inquiries and liaise with HR Operations on queries.

Skills

UK payroll

PAYE

RTI

Pensions auto-enrolment

Salary Sacrifice

Excel

Power BI

PeopleSoft HRIS

SD Worx payroll

CIPP

In-house payroll

Education

CIPP Membership

Professional payroll qualification

Tools

Power BI

PeopleSoft HRIS

SD Worx

Job description

A&O Shearman in Belfast is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join the Payroll team on a 12‑month fixed-term contract. You will manage monthly UK payrolls, validate data, and ensure accurate payments while handling contractor payroll within IR35 and HMRC obligations.

You will have strong end-to-end UK payroll knowledge, proficiency with payroll systems, and the ability to work closely with HR Operations. The role demands accuracy, timeliness, and collaborative problem-solving.