Senior Associate - Payroll

Willis Towers Watson; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Private healthcare

Group income protection

Pension with employer contributions

Hybrid working

Job summary

Willis Towers Watson is hiring a Senior Associate - Payroll in Ipswich. The role is hybrid, requiring three days in the Ipswich office with occasional additional days around key processing dates.

You will process payroll for about 7,000 UK colleagues and for Crown Dependencies, Gibraltar, DIFC in the UAE, and international assignees, while supporting reconciliations for Ireland. We aim for accurate, timely remuneration in line with WTW policies and government regulations, with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Essential: Experience in a busy administrative environment.
• Essential: Understanding of UK Payroll statutory legislation or willingness to learn.
• Essential: Exceptional attention to detail.
• Essential: Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Essential: Clear, effective communication across all levels.
• Essential: Good organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Essential: Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Essential: Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Essential: Ability to work independently on routine tasks whilst contributing to a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with collection and validation of payroll data from HR and other departments.
• Assist in timely, accurate data input and audit checks for data integrity.
• Check monthly pay run output documentation.
• Ensure compliance with UK statutory legislation (HMRC) and company policies.
• Support internal/external audits and maintain audit readiness.
• Triage payroll mailbox and case management in Service Central.
• Respond to payroll inquiries and escalate complex issues to seniors.
• Deliver professional, customer-focused payroll service.
• Raise manual payments via payroll banking portal as needed.
• Support payroll colleagues and meet deadlines.

Skills

Attention to detail

UK payroll knowledge

Communication

Organisational skills

Work under pressure

Confidential information handling

Independent working

Team collaboration

Tools

MS Office

Oracle HCM

ADP

Job description

Description

We have an exciting opportunity to join the payroll team as a Senior Associate -Payroll. The team is responsible for processing payroll for approximately 7,000 UK colleagues, in addition to the payrolls for the Crown Dependencies, Gibraltar, DIFC in the UAE, and international assignees, as well as supporting the payroll reconciliations for Ireland.

This is a varied and interesting role, requiring the ability to work on your own initiative while also contributing effectively as part of the team. This is a hybrid role, with the expectation of working three days per week in the Ipswich office, together with occasional additional office days around key payroll processing dates.

The Role:

The primary function of the payroll team is to process, administer and deliver all aspects of remuneration accurately and timely in accordance with WTW policies meeting the strict government legislative regulations and compliance requirements.

The responsibilities will include but not limit to:

• Assist with the collection and validation of payroll data from HR and other departments
• Assist in timely, accurate data input and audit checks to ensure control of financial data integrity.
• Checking monthly pay run output documentation
• Compliance with UK statutory legislation relating to payments and deductions to colleagues in accordance with HMRC and company policies.
• Adopting practices and processes to ensure on-going compliance with internal/external audit requirements
• Triage and action as appropriate of the WTW UK Payroll mailbox and case management system “Service Central”
• Respond to basic payroll related employee enquires and escalation complex payroll issues to senior team members.
• Deliver a professional and customer focused payroll service.
• Raising Manual payments via Payroll banking portal as required
• Providing support and assistance to Payroll colleagues including senior members of the team as and when required
• Adhere to statutory, business and third-party provider deadlines
• Understand and comply with the GDPR requirements when dealing with sensitive data on a day-to-day basis, applying tact, diplomacy, absolute discretion, and confidentiality always.
• Complete mandatory training and maintain awareness of payroll developments
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development through training activities and by maintaining or working towards a recognized payroll qualification

Qualifications

What you’ll bring:

Essential:

• Previous experience of working within a busy administrative environment
• Understanding of UK Payroll statutory legislation or a willingness to learn and an interest in developing a career within payroll
• Exceptional attention to detail
• High level of computer literacy MS Office - Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly with all organisational levels confidently and effectively.
• Good organisational/coordinating skills with the ability to effectively prioritise workload against competing demands and recognise the importance and relevance of tasks to meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately
• Ability to work independently on routine task, whilst contributing effectively as part of a team

Desirable:

• Exposure to payroll, HR or Finance administration
• Working knowledge and experience of adhering to and providing guidance on company policies and procedures
• Experience of using Payroll and HR software, such as Oracle HCM or ADP software systems
• Working towards or considering a supported CIPP or similar Payroll qualification or certification

What we offer:

Enjoy a benefits package designed to help you thrive, both professionally and personally. You'll receive 25 days of annual leave plus an extra WTW day to relax and recharge. Our comprehensive health and wellbeing offering includes private healthcare, life insurance, group income protection, and regular health assessments, all giving you peace of mind. Secure your future with our defined contribution pension scheme, featuring matched contributions up to 10% from the company.

We support your growth and balance with hybrid working options, access to an employee assistance programme, and a fully paid volunteer day to make a difference in your community. On top of these, you can opt into a variety of additional perks including an electric vehicle car scheme, share scheme, cycle-to-work programme, dental and optical cover, critical illness protection, and much more. Start making the most of your career and wellbeing with a range of benefits tailored for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email [e-mail]