Payroll Analyst

• An exciting interim position to assist in transformation!
• Join a global, FTSE 250 organisation!

About Our Client

PageGroup (recruitment consultancy)

• World leading recruitment firm, operating in more than 30 countries
• FTSE 250 listed business, employing more than 6,000 employees
• 1200 headcount in the UK, 150 headcount in MEA
• Core disciplines: Accounting & Finance, Sales, Procurement & Supply Chain, Engineering, Customer Service, Secretarial and more
• Key Brands: Michael Page, Page Outsourcing, Page Executive

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: Interim Payroll Specialist (FTC) Payroll Operations· Deliver accurate and timely end-to-end payroll processing for UK employees.
· Support payroll business-as-usual activities during periods of increased operational demand and system transition.
· Validate payroll inputs and outputs, ensuring employee payments are accurate and compliant.
· Process and review payroll transactions including:
o New starters
o Leavers
o Salary amendments
o Variable payments
o Benefits and deductions
o Pension contributions
o Court orders and statutory deductions
· Calculate and process payroll adjustments, including underpayments and overpayments.
· Investigate and resolve payroll queries in a timely and professional manner.
· Support payroll reconciliations and controls to ensure payroll accuracy and governance.Payroll Compliance & Legislation· Maintain a strong understanding of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
· Ensure compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, pensions, and employment tax regulations.
· Calculate statutory payments accurately, including:
o Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
o Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
o Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)
o Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)
o Shared Parental Pay (ShPP)
· Ensure payroll processing remains audit-ready and compliant with internal controls.Transformation & Change Support· Support payroll stabilisation activities throughout the SAP SuccessFactors implementation and transition period.
· Work closely with Payroll, HR and project teams to identify and resolve payroll-impacting issues.
· Assist with process validation, data checks and operational readiness activities.
· Support the transition of employee lifecycle processes, including:
o New starters
o Employee changes
o Leavers
· Contribute to process improvement initiatives and documentation updates.
· Identify process risks and recommend practical solutions to minimise payroll disruption.Benefits & Future Legislation· Support the Payroll team with activities associated with the implementation of mandatory payrolling of benefits.
· Assist with process reviews, data validation, stakeholder engagement, and readiness activities ahead of the April 2027 implementation deadline.

• · Support payroll governance activities relating to employee benefits and taxable benefits reporting.

The Successful Applicant

Interim Payroll Specialist (FTC)
Must be within a commutable distance of Reading
Essential
· Significant experience working within a complex UK payroll environment.
· Strong end-to-end payroll processing knowledge.
· Thorough and demonstrable understanding of:
o PAYE
o National Insurance
o Statutory payments
o Payroll compliance requirements
o Payroll year-end activities
· Experience calculating payroll adjustments and overpayments.
· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
· Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
· Ability to work independently and take ownership of issues through to resolution.
· Excellent stakeholder management skills.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· High attention to detail and accuracy.
· Proficient in Microsoft Excel and payroll systems.Desirable· CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll certification.
· Experience working with ADP payroll solutions.
· Experience with SAP SuccessFactors.
· Experience supporting payroll transformation, system implementations, or large-scale change programmes.
· Experience supporting benefits administration and employment tax compliance.

What's on Offer

What's on offer? Interim Payroll Specialist (FTC)

• Initial 9-month FTC, with potential scope to go permanent
• Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
• Reading based (Apex Plaza, attached to Reading train station)- 3x days per week
• Hybrid Working
• Salary (DoE): £45,000 - £55,000 per annum
• (pro rata) 25 days holiday + bank holidays!

Job summary

• Job function
• Accounting

• Subsector
• Payroll

• Sector
• Business Services

• Location
• Reading

• Contract type
• Temporary

• Consultant name
• Omar Sheikh

• Consultant phone
• +44 118 933 7025

• Job reference
• JN-072026-7060882