Senior Payroll Specialist

Gold Group; England; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering organization in Havant is seeking a meticulous Senior Payroll Specialist to ensure accurate payroll processing and compliance with UK legislation. Your role will involve managing in-house payroll, supporting junior staff, and improving processes. The ideal candidate will have experience with SAP SuccessFactors and a strong background in UK payroll operations. This position requires Security Clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• Strong background in full-cycle UK payroll operations.
• Hands-on expertise with SAP SuccessFactors and Employee Central Payroll.
• Deep understanding of UK payroll legislation and statutory payments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and support accurate processing of in-house UK payrolls.
• Manage off-cycle and arrears payments in line with payroll calendars.
• Conduct secondary reviews and mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

UK payroll operations

SAP SuccessFactors

Payroll Control Centre operations

UK payroll legislation

Advanced Excel skills

Strong communication skills

Tools

Oracle payroll system

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior Payroll Specialist FTC

Location: Havant

Salary: 56,000 - We are booking interviews next week! Please call or email for a slot

Length: Up until 31st October 2026

Are you a meticulous Senior Payroll Specialist with a passion for precision and excellence? Are you ready to play a pivotal role in ensuring top-tier standards in a well-established engineering organization? Look no further! We invite you to join our team and be a key driver of engineering excellence.

About Us

As a distinguished leader in the defence engineering industry, we are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and pioneering projects. Our commitment to excellence has earned us a strong reputation, and we\'re looking for a talented Senior Payroll Specialist to contribute to our continued success.

The Role

So, what will you be doing as a Senior Payroll Specialist?

• Oversee and support accurate, timely processing of in-house UK payrolls (Oracle-based).
• Validate payroll inputs including starters, leavers, statutory payments (SMP, SSP, SPP, etc.), pensions, tax, NI, and pay adjustments.
• Conduct secondary reviews, providing guidance to junior colleagues.
• Manage off-cycle and arrears payments in line with payroll calendars.
• Handle complex payroll queries, including manual gross-to-net calculations and HMRC interactions.
• Lead year-end activities such as P60s, P11Ds, and PAYE Settlement Agreements.
• Ensure audit readiness and maintain accurate payroll records in line with legal requirements.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and external providers (e.g., pension schemes).
• Contribute to payroll reporting, training, process improvement initiatives, the UK Payroll Scorecard, and stock vesting activities.
• Support implementation of SAP SuccessFactors and Employee Central Payroll (ECP).
• Assist with testing (script development, end-to-end runs, defect logging, and resolution).
• Validate conversion data and conduct pay comparisons during migration.
• Operate Payroll Control Centre (PCC) to execute runs, validate master data, and resolve errors.
• Partner with consultants to align configuration with business requirements.
• Develop training materials and deliver demonstrations to stakeholders.

What we are looking for

• Strong background in full-cycle, insourced UK payroll operations.
• Hands-on expertise with SAP SuccessFactors and Employee Central Payroll (ECP).
• Knowledge of Payroll Control Centre (PCC) operations.
• Deep understanding of UK payroll legislation and statutory payments.
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to mentor and guide others.
• Excellent organisational skills: able to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Confident in presenting to stakeholders and delivering payroll training.
• Experience working with Oracle payroll system.

My client is keen to get this position filled ASAP, so if you feel you have the skills and desire to provide passion and drive as the next Senior Payroll Specialist, this is the opportunity for you!

How to Apply

Showcase your expertise and passion for payroll processes. Submit your updated resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and enthusiasm for joining our team in Havant.

Important Notes

Security Clearance (SC) or eligibility to gain is required to be considered for this vacancy.

Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business. We will contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview. For a copy of our privacy policy please visit our website.