Payroll Specialist – BAU Interim (Leeds)

About the role

We are partnering with a well‑established organisation to find a Payroll Specialist on an interim basis. You will join a collaborative finance team in Leeds, supporting multiple payroll cycles and contributing to process improvements during a period of growth.

Key responsibilities

• Process weekly, monthly and quarterly payroll runs, including statutory deductions and third‑party payments.
• Support PAYE compliance, RTI submissions and year‑end activities.
• Respond to payroll and pension enquiries, delivering high‑quality customer service.
• Work closely with HR, Finance and other business teams to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Assist with payroll projects, system upgrades and new payroll implementations.
• Maintain payroll controls, reconciliations and compliance activities.
• Investigate and resolve payroll queries, escalating technical issues when needed.
• Contribute to continuous‑improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency.

Required profile

• Strong end‑to‑end payroll experience in the UK.
• In‑depth knowledge of current UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Excellent customer service and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proven ability to handle complex payroll queries with high accuracy.
• Proactive, adaptable and able to meet tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Required skills

• Advanced Excel (including VLOOKUP).
• Microsoft Word.
• Microsoft Outlook.

What we offer

• Immediate start in a supportive payroll team.
• Exposure to complex payroll operations and specialist projects.
• Ongoing professional development and opportunities to broaden expertise.
• A varied role combining processing, customer service and project work.