We are looking for an experienced part-time Payroll Officer to join our client on a temporary basis. With offices in Central London and the option to work part-time, this role offers great flexibility.

Role: Payroll Manager (temporary, part-time)

Location: London

Salary: £16 - £18 per hour

Key Objectives

• Efficiently oversee and process the monthly payroll for over 300 employees
• Ensure smooth administration of the final salary and defined contribution pension schemes
• Provide clear and timely guidance to employees regarding payroll and pension-related queries

Payroll Administration

• Collaborate with HR to process new starters, leavers, and salary changes
• Handle payroll inputs, including timesheets, overtime payments and special scenarios such as maternity pay and sick pay, termination and bonus payments, and deductions
• Calculate, process, and reconcile PAYE payments, ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations
• Oversee pension contributions, ensuring accurate calculation, payment, and reconciliation
• Issue required tax forms, such as P45 and P60, in a timely manner
• Prepare and reconcile payroll-related general ledger journals and payroll control accounts, including payroll bank accounts
• Generate and verify payroll payment summaries
• Act as the key liaison with the payroll software provider

Pension Administration

• Prepare pension-related accounting entries and ensure accurate record-keeping
• Manage pension scheme administration
• Regularly review and update pension materials to ensure clarity and compliance
• Oversee auto-enrolment compliance, including employee communications and administrative requirements

Payroll & Pension Knowledge

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of best practices in payroll and pension administration
• Keep informed of industry changes, evaluating new systems and processes to enhance efficiency
• Ensure accurate and timely maintenance of staff records, including proper filing and archiving
• Provide responsive and professional support to employees regarding payroll inquiries

Reporting & Analysis

• Generate ad hoc reports, including turnover analysis and salary benchmarking
• Prepare quarterly headcount reports, tracking variances against budgets and forecasts

Additional Responsibilities

• Adhere to all relevant Health & Safety policies and take appropriate precautions for staff and visitor well-being
• Undertake other duties as assigned by senior finance and HR leadership

Person Specification

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing payroll functions for workforces of at least 350 employees, including complex payment structures (e.g., timesheets, overtime, ad hoc payments)
• CIPP certification is an advantage
• Strong working knowledge of payroll and pension systems, with experience using Cascade Payroll and related modules preferred
• Sound expertise in payroll accounting, including payroll and pension reconciliations

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret payroll system functionality.
• Highly numerate, with excellent attention to detail to ensure accuracy in reconciliations and statistical reporting.
• Exceptionally well-organised, capable of managing high-volume administrative tasks effectively.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to deliver outstanding customer service, build rapport, and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Diplomatic, discreet, and professional approach to handling sensitive information.
• Understanding of data protection requirements.