Senior Payroll Specialist

Sopra Steria Limited; Forest Hall; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Life assurance

Health cash plan

Pension

Job summary

Sopra Steria Limited is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our HR Shared Services. The role focuses on delivering accurate, compliant payroll for the UK, with an emphasis on automation and process improvement.

This hybrid position requires three days per week in the Newcastle Upon Tyne office. Responsibilities include managing end-to-end payroll for 6000+ monthly employees, supporting the Payroll Manager, and ensuring adherence to regulations while enhancing service quality and

Qualifications

• Broad end-to-end payroll experience with complex scenarios.
• Experience processing high-volume payroll in UK regulations.
• Knowledge of pension schemes and compliance requirements.
• Ability to lead process improvements and audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll process for 6000+ monthly employees.
• Support Payroll Manager with day-to-day operations onsite.
• Drive automation, RPA and AI-driven improvements.
• Resolve escalated payroll queries and prepare management reports.

Skills

UK payroll

Automation tools

RPA

Audit readiness

Project management

People management

Payroll qualification

Pension schemes

End-to-end payroll

Education

Payroll qualification (CIPP)

Job description

Due to an internal promotion, we are looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our team. As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you'll support the delivery of accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll services within our HR Shared Services model. This role is ideal for someone with strong UK payroll expertise, and a mindset geared toward innovation and process efficiency - particularly through the adoption of automation and AI technologies. The role contributes to continuous improvement initiatives, supports system enhancements and testing, and helps maintain robust payroll controls to minimise risk and ensure compliance. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong technical payroll knowledge, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days per week in our Newcastle Upon Tyne office.

What you will be doing:

• Support the Payroll Manager to lead the end-to-end payroll process (over 6000 monthly), ensuring accuracy and adherence to all relevant regulations and company policies.
• Support the Payroll Manager with the day-to-day Payroll operations, including supporting team members and colleagues and being on the on-site go-to Payroll specialist.
• Develop the team's ability to handle complex issues while improving service quality and employee satisfaction.
• Support with the identification and lead opportunities to streamline payroll operations using automation tools, robotics (RPA), and AI-driven technologies.
• Handle high-level and sophisticated payroll scenarios, including special payments, executive compensation, and international payroll considerations.
• Oversee the administration of a variety of company pension schemes, managing auto-enrolment payments, pension contribution changes, and compliance with pension regulations.
• Provide expert-level support to resolve escalated payroll queries from both employees and managers, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving skills.
• Prepare and present payroll-related reports to management, highlighting key metrics, trends, and insights.

What you'll bring:

• Extensive broad end to end experience in advanced payroll administration, including exposure to complex payroll scenarios.
• Previous experience of processing payroll related information and inputting to payroll systems on a large scale with multiple demands
• Knowledge of up to date statutory and legislative regulations in relation to payroll such as Tax and NI, Maternity pay etc.
• In-depth knowledge of pension schemes, regulatory compliance, and payroll best practices.
• Act as a subject matter expert in payroll matters during internal and external audits.
• Project management skills with the ability to lead process improvement initiatives.
• People Management experience is beneficial but not essential.
• Payroll qualification, i.e. CIPP, is beneficial but not essential.

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Hybrid with Newcastle Upon Tyne office attendance 3 times per week
Security Clearance Level: SC
Internal Recruiter: Adrian
Salary: Up to £42k depending on experience

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days
• life assurance
• health cash plan
• pension

Although this role is advertised as full-time, we believe that flexibility at work can promote work/life balance, increase your motivation, reduce stress and improves performance and productivity. We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements.

We are a purpose driven digital transformation provider, creating innovative digital solutions to help clients drive their digital transformation projects and secure tangible and sustainable benefits. We harness the power of innovation to drive positive change in both business and society, delivering sustainable growth and services which make life better, from effective frontline citizen services, to digitising financial services, utilities, and delivering smarter roads. We place people at the heart of everything we do and are committed to working with our customers, partners and suppliers to shape a better world and add real and lasting social value to the communities in which we work. Together we are building a better future by delivering real and lasting value. We are just at the start of what we can achieve together. Come and join us!