Interim UK Payroll Specialist

Key responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end UK payroll processing and ensure accurate payment by published pay dates.
• Review and approve payroll calculations, inputs and outputs.
• Manage BACS processing, payroll journals and post-payroll activities.
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, including statutory payments and HMRC requirements.
• Analyse payroll variances and investigate discrepancies.
• Resolve complex payroll queries and act as an escalation point for the wider payroll team.
• Support SAP Payroll issues, upgrades, testing and system enhancements.
• Produce and approve statutory, management and periodic payroll reporting.
• Support internal and external audits, payroll projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and external payroll partners to improve processes and efficiencies.

About you

• Strong experience working within an in-house UK payroll environment.
• Solid understanding of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Strong understanding of payroll journals and how payroll feeds into financial reporting.
• Excellent analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• High level of accuracy, organisation and attention to detail.
• Professional, discreet and comfortable handling confidential information.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• SAP Payroll/SAP Finance experience is essential.
• Payroll qualification or part-qualification is desirable, with a genuine interest in developing a long-term career in payroll.
• Experience with payroll audits and Workday would be beneficial.