Senior Payroll Officer

Your new company

You'll be joining a well established and people focused organisation with a reputation for operational excellence and a supportive working culture based in Leeds. The business places real value on accuracy, collaboration and continuous improvement, offering a stable environment where payroll is seen as a critical function supporting both employees and leadership. With accessible facilities and a strong employee benefits package, this is a workplace that invests in its people and long term success.

Your new role

• Take end‑to‑end responsibility for delivering accurate and timely payroll across multiple pay cycles.
• Process payroll changes including new starters, leavers and contractual variations
• Calculate and administer statutory payments such as SSP, SMP, SPP, PAYE and National Insurance
• Prepare and distribute payslips in line with agreed deadlines
• Manage holiday calculations, payments and employee queries
• Ensure ongoing compliance with payroll legislation and statutory requirements
• Administer pension processes including auto‑enrolment, Local Government schemes and associated deductions
• Act as a key point of contact for payroll queries, providing clear explanations and resolutions.
• Support internal and external audits through reconciliations, reporting and documentation
• Liaise with external payroll and system providers to resolve issues and maintain service standards
• Assist with payroll system upgrades, testing and continuous process improvement initiatives
• Produce payroll and workforce reports to support operational and strategic decision making
• Support the Payroll Manager with period end activities and monthly close processes

What you'll need to succeed

• Proven experience in a payroll role within a fast paced, high volume environment
• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory payments
• Experience administering pensions and payroll deductions
• Confidence performing manual calculations where required
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and payroll systems
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to engage with employees and senior stakeholders
• A proactive, positive attitude and commitment to delivering excellent customer service
• CIPP qualification or working towards certification (desirable but not essential)

What you'll get in return

You'll receive a competitive salary and the opportunity to be part of a collaborative and supportive team.
Benefits include a company pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and free onsite parking.
This role offers both stability and the chance to further develop your payroll expertise within a respected organisation.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk