Senior Payroll Administrator

Harrods; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrods is seeking a Senior Payroll Administrator to join our payroll team. This 12-month maternity cover role focuses on delivering accurate, on-time payroll for UK employees and providing technical guidance across the payroll cycle.

You will own monthly payroll processes, manage interfaces and reconciliations, ensure pension administration and regulatory compliance, and support continuous improvements within a collaborative, high-performance environment.

Qualifications

• Proven payroll experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, NI, tax and pensions.
• Able to adapt to changing rules and meet strict deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly payroll run from start to finish.
• Manage payroll interfaces, reconciliations and pension administration.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and audit standards.

Skills

Payroll experience

UK payroll

Pensions knowledge

Education

CIPP/Payroll qualification

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Payroll Administrator to join our payroll team here at Harrods. The purpose of the role is to provide a first-class service to all employees ensuring that employees are paid accurately and on time and provide technical assistance on all aspects of the payroll cycle

This is a 12-month maternity cover position

About the Role

This role will play a key role in delivering an accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll service, taking ownership of the monthly payroll process from start to finish. Working closely with the Assistant Payroll Manager, you will manage payroll interfaces, reconciliations, pension administration, statutory and legislative requirements, and ensure all payroll activities are completed in line with audit standards and company policies. You will also contribute to system enhancements, testing, reporting improvements, and continuous process optimisation to support an exceptional payroll function.

This is a collaborative and influential role that partners closely with People Support, HR Operations, Finance, Benefits, and external providers to ensure smooth payroll operations across the business. As a senior member of the team, you will provide guidance and coaching to Payroll Administrators, act as an escalation point for complex queries, and deputise for the Assistant Payroll Manager when required. You will be proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement, building strong stakeholder relationships, and championing best practice across all payroll processes.

About You

The ideal candidate will have proven payroll experience, ideally gained within a fast-paced environment, with a strong understanding of payroll legislation including tax, National Insurance, pensions, and statutory payments. You will be highly organised, methodical, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting strict deadlines. Confident working independently, you will take ownership of your responsibilities while consistently delivering a high-quality payroll service.

You will be an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including HR, Finance, IT, operational managers, and external bodies such as HMRC and pension providers. A collaborative team player, you will be comfortable supporting and coaching colleagues, handling complex queries, and maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality. Above all, you will be adaptable, customer-focused, and committed to continuously improving processes and delivering best practice across the payroll function.

About Us

Harrods is one of the world’s leading luxury department stores and we’re becoming a destination for top designers, and the most sought-after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world’s most inspiring shopping experiences.

Our Promise to You

Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business.

At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart. We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.

If you want to know more about life at Harrods, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods.