Senior Payroll Administrator

Cintra HR & Payroll Services Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension 5%

Health plan & wellbeing

Onsite parking

Job summary

Cintra HR & Payroll Services Ltd in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a Senior Payroll Administrator to own a portfolio of client payrolls end to end, ensuring accuracy and compliance. This role sits between the team and the Payroll Manager, mentoring juniors and driving smooth day-to-day operations.

The successful candidate will have 3+ years of end-to-end payroll experience, strong HMRC knowledge, and advanced Excel skills, with a proactive, collaborative approach in a fast-paced outsourced

Qualifications

• 3+ years of end-to-end payroll experience with a strong working knowledge of payroll systems.
• Excellent understanding of HMRC legislation, statutory payments, pensions, and auto-enrolment rules.
• Confident with manual calculations — starters and leavers, tax and NI, student loans, apprenticeship levy, employment allowance, and Small ER relief.
• High-level attention to detail and strong numeracy skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Experience training and mentoring junior payroll colleagues with clear explanations of complex processes.
• An excellent team player who spots team needs and steps in proactively.
• Confident working autonomously and solving system issues without escalating unnecessarily.
• Resilient and calm under pressure in a fast-paced bureau environment.

Responsibilities

• Process a portfolio of client payrolls end to end within agreed timeframes, including complex payrolls, manual calculations, and statutory payment schedules.
• Submit RTI and pension files, process HMRC payments, and liaise directly with HMRC on client matters.
• Perform manual calculations covering starters and leavers, tax and NI, student loans, pensions, apprenticeship levy, employment allowance, and Small ER relief.
• Carry out payroll corrections and EYUs, and use imports, reports, and functions to support efficient data processing.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with your client portfolio — liaising regularly and holding service review meetings.
• Act as a professional and knowledgeable point of contact, handling queries and complaints with confidence and composure.
• Serve as the first point of contact for Payroll Administrators' queries, checking colleagues' payrolls and supporting accuracy across the team.
• Hold training sessions with junior colleagues on payroll processes and legislation, and monitor their progress and development needs.
• Work closely with the Payroll Manager to create and improve procedures, and step up to cover the Manager when needed.
• Take an active role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the team.

Skills

Excel

Team player

Numeracy

Mentoring juniors

Attention to detail

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

Senior Payroll Administrator

Application Deadline: 22 September 2026

Department: Outsourced Payroll

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Compensation: £31,750 - £36,250 / year

Description

Join our Outsourced Payroll Team as a Senior Payroll Administrator!

We are Cintra. Known for our award-winning software that delivers payroll solutions to over 1000 clients. If you're passionate about payroll and are eager to join a dynamic team of seasoned professionals, this is the opportunity for you.

As the proud recipient of the Payroll Service Provider of the Year 2025 award at the CIPP Annual Excellence Awards, we offer exciting opportunities for professional development, competitive bonus structures, and a collaborative work environment.

Our modern offices are located in Hoults Yard, nestled on the outskirts of the vibrant Ouseburn Valley. This area boasts a thriving creative community, rich local heritage, and a lively social scene.

Why This Role Is Different

This is not an entry-level processing role. As a Senior Payroll Administrator, you will own a full portfolio of client payrolls end to end, act as the first point of contact for junior colleagues, and play an active part in keeping the team running smoothly. You sit between the team and the Payroll Manager, trusted to get it right every time, and trusted to bring others along with you.

Key Responsibilities

• Process a portfolio of client payrolls end to end within agreed timeframes, including complex payrolls, manual calculations, and statutory payment schedules
• Submit RTI and pension files, process HMRC and third party payments, and liaise directly with HMRC on client matters
• Perform manual calculations covering starters and leavers, tax and NI, student loans, pensions, apprenticeship levy, employment allowance, and Small ER relief
• Carry out payroll corrections and EYUs, and use imports, reports, and functions to support efficient data processing.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with your client portfolio — liaising regularly and holding service review meetings
• Act as a professional and knowledgeable point of contact, handling queries and complaints with confidence and composure
• Serve as the first point of contact for Payroll Administrators' queries, checking colleagues' payrolls and supporting accuracy across the team
• Hold training sessions with junior colleagues on payroll processes and legislation, and monitor their progress and development needs
• Work closely with the Payroll Manager to create and improve procedures, and step up to cover the Manager when needed
• Take an active role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the team

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a technically strong payroll professional who combines accuracy and rigour with a genuine desire to support others, develop junior colleagues, and contribute to a high-performing team.

Essential

• 3 or more years of end-to-end payroll experience with a strong working knowledge of payroll systems
• Excellent understanding of HMRC legislation, statutory payments, pensions, and auto-enrolment rules
• Confident with manual calculations — starters and leavers, tax and NI, student loans, apprenticeship levy, employment allowance, and Small ER relief
• High-level attention to detail and strong numeracy skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office
• Experience training and mentoring junior payroll colleagues, with the patience and communication skills to explain complex processes clearly
• An excellent team player who spots the needs of the team and steps in proactively
• Confident working autonomously and solving system issues without escalating unnecessarily
• Resilient and calm under pressure in a fast-paced bureau environment

Desirable

• Experience of holding client service review meetings and managing client complaints
• Experience in a payroll bureau or outsourced services environment
• Demonstrable initiative in improving or innovating on existing processes

Why Join Cintra?

At Cintra we know our colleagues are our biggest asset and an investment in them is an investment into the company. We offer:

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements supporting your work-life balance
• Employer matched pension contribution to 5%
• Wellbeing support through our company-funded health plan, health checks and employee assistance program
• Onsite parking
• And more!

We go the extra mile to strategically invest in our employees by providing them with invaluable learning opportunities to propel their careers forward. Our commitment to continuous employee training ensures that knowledge remains up-to-date, skills stay sharp, and confidence continues to grow. We firmly believe in empowering our workforce with the tools they need to thrive and succeed.