Specialist Payroll Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Surrey Heath; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting a Specialist Payroll Officer for a 6-month contract with a local authority in Surrey Heath, United Kingdom. You will provide specialized payroll services, advise on payroll processes, and ensure compliance with legislation, taxation, and organizational policies.

The role requires extensive experience in payroll operations, ability to handle complex queries, and strong data reporting skills.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in payroll operations.
• Proficiency in handling complex payroll queries and payroll reconciliations.
• Ability to interpret payroll legislation and taxation regulations.
• Proven track record delivering high-quality customer service in payroll/HR.
• Experience in analyzing payroll data and generating reports.
• Experience in supporting business processes and service improvements.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialized payroll services and manage intricate payroll transactions.
• Offer expert advice and guidance on payroll processes, procedures, and legislation.
• Efficiently and accurately resolve complex payroll queries and issues.
• Ensure payroll processing adheres to statutory requirements and organizational policies.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll regulations, taxation legislation, and best practices.
• Support the provision of accurate and timely payroll services across the organization.

Skills

Payroll processing

Customer service

Data analysis

Auditing

Education

A-Level or equivalent

NVQ Level 4 or equivalent

CPD evidence

Job description

Civic Recruitment Limited | Contract

Specialist Payroll Officer

Surrey Heath, United Kingdom | Posted on 07/09/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6 months contract with a local authority

Summary

• This role involves providing specialized payroll services and expert advice to ensure payroll operations are executed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with relevant legislation, tax requirements, and organizational policies. As a Specialist Payroll Officer, you will serve as a subject matter expert, addressing complex payroll issues, aiding in process enhancements, conducting audits and reconciliations, and delivering outstanding customer service to employees, managers, and stakeholders. Your contributions are vital to maintaining payroll accuracy, compliance, and ongoing improvements within the payroll function.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialized payroll services and manage intricate payroll transactions.
• Offer expert advice and guidance on payroll processes, procedures, and legislation.
• Efficiently and accurately resolve complex payroll queries and issues.
• Ensure payroll processing adheres to statutory requirements and organizational policies.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll regulations, taxation legislation, and best practices.
• Support the provision of accurate and timely payroll services across the organization.

Requirements:

Essential Experience Required

• Extensive experience in payroll operations.
• Proficiency in handling complex payroll queries and performing payroll reconciliations.
• Ability to interpret payroll legislation, taxation regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality customer service in a payroll or HR setting.
• Experience in analyzing payroll data and generating reports.
• Experience in supporting business processes and service improvements.

Essential Qualifications Required

• Education to A-Level standard or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Professional business qualification at NVQ Level 4 or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Additional Information

• This is a 6-month contract with a local authority.
• The rate is £35 per hour under an umbrella arrangement.
• We operate on a bi-weekly payment schedule.
• The application deadline is 30th September 2026, so please apply as soon as possible.