UK Payroll Specialist – 12-Month Contract (Belfast)

A&O Shearman; Dunmurry; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in Belfast is seeking a Payroll Specialist on a 12-month fixed-term contract to join the Payroll team. The role focuses on UK payroll processing for our UK-based employees and ensures accurate remittance and compliance.

You will manage data collection, handle starters and leavers, compute statutory payments, and coordinate with HR for queries, while maintaining strict deadlines and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in processing a comparable sized payroll.
• Strong end-to-end knowledge of UK payroll (PAYE, NI, pensions, RTI).
• Experience with general ledger reconciliations.
• Experience with accounting and financial systems.
• Highly numerate with attention to detail.
• Organised and able to work under pressure.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Flexibility to work overtime during peak periods.

Responsibilities

• Process allocated UK payrolls from data collection to final outputs.
• Input, validate and process payroll changes (starters, leavers, changes, absence, overtime, deductions).
• Calculate statutory payments, family-related leave and salary sacrifice adjustments.
• Administer payroll/remittance for contractors inside IR35.
• Ensure HMRC notifications are applied correctly in payroll.
• Respond to payroll inquiries from employees/contractors.
• Liaise with HR Operations and HR Managers on queries and payments.
• Assist with pension schemes and benefit administration.
• Undertake monthly reconciliation, create journals, and support year-end processes.
• Ad hoc projects as required by the Payroll Manager.

Skills

Payroll processing

UK payroll knowledge

Numerical skills

Organised

MS Office

Overtime flexibility

Education

Professional payroll qualification

Tools

PeopleSoft HRIS

SD Worx payroll

Power BI

Job description

A&O Shearman in Belfast is seeking a Payroll Specialist on a 12-month fixed-term contract to join the Payroll team. The role focuses on UK payroll processing for our UK-based employees and ensures accurate remittance and compliance.

You will manage data collection, handle starters and leavers, compute statutory payments, and coordinate with HR for queries, while maintaining strict deadlines and confidentiality.