Senior Payroll Analyst (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)
Contract: Fixed Term - Maternity Cover
Location: Midlands-Based with Hybrid Working
Are you an experienced Payroll Analyst looking for a rewarding fixed-term opportunity? We're partnering with a large national organisation seeking a confident and knowledgeable Senior Payroll Analyst to join their central payroll function for a 12‑month contract.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage multiple payrolls, and enjoys being a key technical reference point within a payroll team.
What's on offer:
- 25 days annual leave + option to buy more
- High-street discounts and employee perks
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Workplace pension
- Hybrid working, supportive team, and strong development culture
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the primary escalation point for specialists dealing with complex queries
- Ensure a consistent, high-quality payroll service across the team
- Oversee manual statutory payment calculations (e.g., SMP, SPP, SAP, SHPP) and ensure compliance
- Complete month-end and year-end payroll reconciliations, supporting statutory reporting
- Review pension submissions and ensure accurate formatting and reconciliation
- Work with the Payroll Manager to plan for legislative updates and system changes
- Support onboarding and training of new team members
- Identify and address any salary-sacrifice-related NMW issues
- Assist with annual planning, including system upgrade testing and process adjustments
- Review and anticipate legislative impacts on payroll operations
- Investigate and resolve discrepancies and out‑of‑balance accounts
- Liaise with external agencies on complex payroll matters
- Provide payroll expertise for TUPE transfers in and out of the organisation
- Support ongoing development and testing of payroll contingency plans
- Identify and implement payroll process improvements
What you'll need to succeed:
- 3-5 years' experience in payroll, including end‑to‑end processing
- CIPP qualification (or equivalent) - desirable
- Experience with large-scale or enterprise payroll systems
- Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements
- Understanding of occupational pension schemes
- Ability to manage compliance across multiple payrolls
- Project management awareness and ability to plan long‑term changes
- Excellent customer service skills and strong communication
- Collaborative approach with leadership ability
- Intermediate Excel skills
At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.
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