Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist to lead and enhance payroll and benefits operations for our UK and Ireland businesses. You will act as the subject‑matter expert, ensuring accurate pay, compliant benefits administration, and continuous improvement of our reward processes.

Key responsibilities

• Manage in‑house UK & Ireland payroll for approximately 400 employees, including a modified payroll for UK expatriates.
• Ensure compliance with Revenue legislation and corporate policies, conducting regular audits of data and systems.
• Administer employment legislative changes and communicate updates to the business.
• Submit accurate pension, HMRC, and other statutory filings on time.
• Reconcile monthly pension changes, handle auto‑enrolment responsibilities, and maintain pension scheme compliance.
• Liaise with HR, finance, and payroll providers to guarantee timely and accurate payments.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly.
• Review and optimise payroll processes, creating and updating SOPs, flowcharts, and training materials.
• Take full responsibility for benefit enrolments, changes, leavers, and invoice verification.
• Manage pension scheme submissions, reporting and audits.
• Promote benefit offerings and support engagement initiatives.

Required profile

• Proven experience in payroll and benefits administration within the UK and Ireland.
• Strong understanding of UK & Irish payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and auto‑enrolment rules.
• Ability to conduct audits, manage statutory submissions and maintain compliance.
• Excellent analytical skills with a focus on accuracy and problem‑solving.
• Effective communication skills to advise HR, finance and other stakeholders.

Required skills

• In‑depth knowledge of UK & Ireland payroll legislation and HMRC processes.
• Experience managing pension schemes and auto‑enrolment compliance.
• Ability to produce and maintain detailed payroll SOPs and training documentation.