Senior Payroll Specialist

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our London‑based payroll team. You will manage the end‑to‑end UK payroll cycle while supporting a growing European remit, including France and Germany. The role combines hands‑on processing with strategic partnership across HR and Finance.

Key responsibilities

• Process UK monthly payroll, handling starters, leavers, salary changes, variable pay, benefits, pensions and statutory deductions.
• Coordinate outsourced payroll providers for European jurisdictions and ensure accurate reconciliations.
• Prepare payroll journals, accruals and variance analysis in close collaboration with the Finance team.
• Provide expert guidance to HR colleagues, branch managers and other stakeholders on payroll matters.
• Support shadow payroll and expat tax arrangements for internationally mobile employees.

Required profile

• Extensive end‑to‑end UK payroll experience, preferably in a complex or regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, NI and auto‑enrolment.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers.
• Exposure to European payroll, especially France or Germany, is a distinct advantage.
• Proactive, detail‑driven attitude with the ability to meet strict monthly deadlines.

Required skills

• PAYE
• National Insurance (NI)
• Auto‑enrolment
• Statutory payments
• Tax year‑end processing
• European payroll (France, Germany)
• Reconciliations and variance analysis
• Payroll journals
• Advanced Excel