UK Payroll and Benefits Assistant

iCIMS; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An international law firm seeks a Payroll and Benefits Administrator to manage payroll processes and support HR functions. The role requires previous experience in payroll and strong IT skills, particularly in Excel and payroll systems. Candidates should be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of handling sensitive information discreetly. The firm offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to diversity in its workforce.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Life assurance

Private health and dental care

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing strategy

Volunteering day

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar role.
• Experience with payroll and benefits administration.
• Strong IT and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage payroll processes.
• Provide support for HR and payroll queries.
• Ensure compliance with payroll regulations.

Skills

IT skills (especially Microsoft Excel)

Customer service skills

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Payroll systems (e.g., Workday)

Job description

The HR and T&D department comprises of 50+ people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning the employment and development of people within Stephenson Harwood. This involves carrying out appropriate initiatives, providing guidance and support to partners, managers and all employees alike, as well as supporting the creation of an environment which enables people to make the best use of their capabilities and realise their potential to the benefit of the firm and themselves. This means that we are involved in a wide range of activities including:

Responsibilities

• Implementing our people and talent strategy in line with business objectives
• Recruitment of all partners and employees, including graduate 'trainee' recruitment
• Talent and career management
• Reward strategy and salary review
• Supporting the appraisal and performance management process
• Employment and personnel administration, including payroll and benefits
• Policy and procedures setting and the practical application of these across the business.

UK Payroll, Pension and Benefits Responsibilities

• Processing the monthly UK payroll for over 600 employees including RTI and posting payroll journals, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery
• Administering the day to day duties for UK payroll from start to finish including starters, leavers, SSP, SMP/alabaster calculations, SPP, SAP, ShPP, auto-enrolment and pension management etc. Manual calculations alongside systems when needed
• Ensuring all day to day payroll tasks are completed in line with payroll monthly timeline and controls as well as monthly and annual reporting
• Administering month end and year end processes and reporting, including P60s
• Carrying out monthly reconciliations between payroll and HMRC information for PAYE, NI purposes
• Working closely and in collaboration with the wider HR team
• Liaising with benefits/pensions providers and third parties
• Providing high quality service and assistance to our employees and partners for payroll and benefits queries
• Ensuring data quality and integrity on all platforms/systems
• Being responsible for processing all providers' invoices in a timely manner
• Being responsible for the monthly and annual benefit reconciliations for employee and partners
• Updating monthly content on the firms' benefits' platform

Knowledge Management & Continuous Improvement

• Maintaining up to date documentation: knowledge management, templates and guidance for all activities
• Being involved in systems/platform upgrades and updates, including assisting on annual benefits platform renewal including testing, system configuration, rate changes etc.
• Updating for the HR pages of the firm's intranet and benefits documentation on the relevant platforms
• Keeping up to date with the regulations and practices
• Participating in the department projects to support the firm's strategy
• Proactively propose, plan and drive improvement to the way we operate to drive efficiency, accuracy and process streamlining

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working effectively in a similar role
• Strong IT skills, especially in Microsoft Excel to manipulate and interpret complex data
• Workday or other payroll system knowledge and experience is required
• Worked in a partnership and / or law firm (desirable)
• Degree qualified, or equivalent experience
• Accuracy and a strong attention to detail
• Able to handle sensitive situations and information confidentially and discreetly
• Flexible approach and proactive manner
• Empathetic and people-centric
• Strong customer service skills
• Approachable and able to build relationships at all levels
• Can-do, client focused and positive attitude
• Adaptable and amenable to changing deadlines and demands
• Resilient, dealing effectively with challenging situations
• Ability to work as part of a team or individually when needed
• Excellent organisational skills; planning and prioritisation; time management of self and others
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally across all levels of the firm, its partners, management and other staff

Company Overview & Culture

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.

• 220+ PARTNERS
• 10 OFFICES
• 45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE

Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou

Benefits

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• We support the causes you care about, by giving you one day per year off to volunteer with any charity that you are involved with outside of work.
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
• We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives