Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist

JGA Recruitment; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading high-growth business is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to manage UK payroll operations across multiple entities. This hybrid role requires expertise in payroll legislation, strong analytical skills, and a drive for continuous improvement in payroll processes. If you are passionate about payroll accuracy and compliance, this could be the opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience running end-to-end UK payroll in-house.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll and pension legislation.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with Finance.

Responsibilities

• Manage full UK payroll cycle across multiple entities.
• Lead monthly processing, reconciliation, and year-end reporting.
• Ensure HMRC and pension compliance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Compliance knowledge

Payroll processing

Excel skills

Tools

Payroll & HRIS systems

Job description

Title:

Senior Payroll Specialist

Location:

Exeter (open to other regional locations)

Salary:

£45,000 - £55,000 + excellent benefits

Working Structure:

Hybrid (2-3 days from home)

JGA is partnering with a leading high-growth business looking for an experienced and hands-on Senior Payroll Specialist to take full responsibility for UK payroll operations in a growing, multi-entity business.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in an autonomous environment, enjoys improving processes, takes ownership, and is passionate about ensuring payroll accuracy and compliance at scale.

What You'll Do:

• Own and manage the full UK payroll cycle across multiple entities and pay frequencies
• Lead monthly processing, reconciliation, submissions, and year-end reporting
• Deliver internal reporting and insights to support Finance and Audit functions
• Support benefits schemes and liaise with third-party providers
• Ensure HMRC and pension compliance (auto-enrolment, P60s, P11Ds, etc.)
• Contribute to cross-functional operations projects and support scalable processes
• Drive continuous improvement around payroll systems, controls, and employee experience

What You'll Need:

• Proven experience running end-to-end UK payroll (in-house)
• Strong understanding of UK payroll and pension legislation
• Confidence working in a standalone capacity and liaising across People and Finance
• Experience with payroll & HRIS systems
• High attention to detail and strong Excel/reporting skills
• Exposure to benefits administration or interest in leading flexible benefits projects

Interested? Contact Tom:
(url removed)

JGA are dedicated to delivering the best possible candidate experience. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we are not always able to respond to every individual applicant. If your application is shortlisted, a member of our team will be in touch. Thank you for your understanding.

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd (