Senior Payroll Analyst

Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment is seeking a Senior Payroll Analyst to ensure accurate and timely US payroll delivery, with predominately remote work after initial training.

The role is senior and hands-on, emphasizing end-to-end payroll, controls, governance, reconciliations and continuous improvement. Training will be conducted in Glasgow, with UK/global payroll experience welcomed.

Qualifications

• Extensive end-to-end payroll experience and strong governance controls.
• Experience with month-end processes, reconciliations and audits.
• Capability to manage stakeholder relationships and drive improvements.
• Proficiency in Excel (VLOOKUP, SUMIF, PivotTables) and payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end payroll delivery and sign-off for US payrolls.
• Maintain controls, governance and payroll knowledge documentation.
• Prepare payroll reporting to authorities and third parties.
• Assist Payroll Manager and wider payroll team as escalation point.
• Drive process improvements and respond to legislative changes.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Payroll controls

Governance

Reconciliations

Audit experience

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Advanced Excel

VLOOKUP

PivotTables

SAP experience

CIPP qualification

UK/global payroll

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Predominantly remote after initial training

We’re working with a well-established organisation to recruit an experienced Senior Payroll Analyst to take responsibility for the accurate and timely delivery of US payrolls.

This is a senior, hands‑on payroll position with a strong focus on end-to-end payroll, controls, governance, reconciliations and continuous improvement. You’ll also act as a key point of support for the Payroll Manager and wider payroll team.

The experience we’re looking for

US payroll experience would be preferred, but it is not essential.

We’re also very interested in speaking with experienced payroll professionals who have built their career within UK and/or global payroll and have the depth of end-to-end payroll knowledge required to transition into a US‑focused role.

The original profile is looking for a substantial payroll background, ideally around 10 years’ relevant experience, alongside strong knowledge of payroll controls, process review, stakeholder management and continuous improvement.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Strong end‑to‑end payroll experience
• A good understanding of payroll controls and governance
• Experience of month‑end and balance sheet reconciliations
• Exposure to audit requirements and compliance
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Confidence dealing with senior stakeholders and escalating issues where necessary
• Advanced Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs, SUMIFs and PivotTables
• Experience of financial systems, with SAP experience advantageous
• A proactive approach and the ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• CIPP qualification and/or equivalent relevant payroll experience

What will you be doing?

You’ll support the Payroll Manager with the end‑to‑end delivery and sign‑off of payroll, ensuring payments and reporting are completed accurately while maintaining strong controls and governance.

Your responsibilities will include payroll reporting and payments to tax authorities and third‑party providers, month‑end activity, out‑of‑cycle reporting, audit preparation, banking processes and maintaining payroll knowledge documentation. You’ll also act as an escalation point and provide support to other payroll analysts.

Alongside the day‑to‑day payroll operation, you’ll have a strong focus on legislative changes, reconciliations, audit activity, stakeholder relationships and identifying opportunities to continually improve payroll processes.

Important working arrangements

There are a couple of important points to consider before applying:

You must be able to commit to US-aligned working hours, starting at approximately 1:30pm Monday to Friday.

The role will offer fully remote working following training, however the initial two‑week training period will be office‑based in Glasgow, working 9am to 5:30pm.

You must also be within practical travelling distance of Glasgow and able to attend the office routinely and at relatively short notice when required for meetings or additional training.

Interested?

If you’re an experienced payroll professional looking for a senior role with plenty of autonomy and the opportunity to work within an international payroll environment, we’d be keen to hear from you.

US payroll experience is advantageous, but candidates with extensive UK or global payroll experience are equally encouraged to apply, providing you can commit to the US working hours and Glasgow training/attendance requirements.