Payroll Specialist (Talent Pool)

Role overview

Key challenges you’ll face

• Navigating complex UK payroll legislation (tax codes, National Insurance, statutory leave and pay)
• Managing multi-currency payrolls, expatriate assignments, and cross-border tax considerations
• Integrating with diverse ERP/payroll systems (e.g., Sage, ADP, payslips.co.uk) and bespoke reporting tools
• Coordinating deadlines across time zones with UK HR, finance teams, and external advisors
• Safeguarding data privacy and process consistency in a fully remote environment

Impact you’ll deliver

• Accurate, on-time monthly and ad hoc payroll runs that maintain employee trust and legal compliance
• Detailed payroll journals and reconciliations that feed seamlessly into month-end close processes
• Comprehensive payroll reports (cost analyses, headcount metrics, statutory filings) that inform strategic decisions
• Robust controls and audit-ready documentation that reduce risk and support UK statutory requirements
• A reliable, responsive payroll service that strengthens client relationships and supports business growth

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end UK payrolls: data collection, gross-to-net calculations, deductions, and net-pay distributions
• Manage statutory filings and payments: PAYE, National Insurance contributions, student loans, pension auto-enrolment
• Reconcile payroll ledger accounts, investigate variances, and prepare adjustment journals for month-end close
• Maintain and update employee records: starter/leaver forms, pay rate changes, benefits, and leave balances
• Generate payroll reports and dashboards for management, HR partners, and finance teams
• Liaise with UK-based HR, finance, and external advisers (HMRC, pension providers) to resolve queries
• Ensure payroll processes adhere to GDPR, UK employment law, and internal control policies
• Recommend and implement process improvements, automation, and best practices

Requirements

• 3–5 years’ hands-on payroll experience, ideally supporting UK-based or multi-jurisdiction clients
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax codes, statutory leave and pay rules
• Proficiency with payroll software (e.g., Sage, ADP, payslips.co.uk) and Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)
• Experience reconciling payroll accounts and preparing supporting journals for finance teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical details clearly
• Self-motivated, organized, and comfortable managing competing deadlines in a remote setup
• Based in South Africa with a stable internet connection and availability during core UK working hours (9am–5pm GMT)

Preferred qualifications

• Payroll accreditation (e.g., CIPP/IPP) or relevant local certification
• Experience with ERP integrations or payroll APIs
• Familiarity with UK pension auto-enrolment schemes and benefits administration
• Prior exposure to multi-currency and expatriate payroll processes
• Proven track record of process improvements and automation in payroll operations

Ideal candidate profile

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented payroll professional who thrives in a remote environment and excels at delivering flawless pay runs under tight deadlines. You have a solid command of UK payroll legislation, a knack for process optimization, and strong stakeholder-management skills across time zones. Your proactive communication style, commitment to data integrity, and continuous-improvement mindset make you a trusted partner to HR and finance teams alike.