The Role

The Payroll Operations and Testing Specialist within the EMS Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Payroll team is responsible for delivering end-to-end processing, and supporting payroll testing activities of UK and, where applicable, other European payrolls for assigned clients. The role involves independently processing payroll cycles, handling employee and client queries, and carrying out payroll-related testing activities to support the accurate delivery of payroll services.

The role supports the delivery of compliant payroll services and assists with payroll testing activities including User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for Business-as-Usual (BAU) payroll changes, wage type updates, work schedule changes, legislative updates, system upgrades, SAP Notes, regression testing, and end-of-year payroll testing. The specialist works under the guidance of the Payroll Operations and Testing Manager to ensure payroll changes are thoroughly tested, discrepancies investigated, and outcomes documented before release into production.

During client implementations and transitions projects, the Payroll Operations and Testing Specialist also works closely with the Payroll Operations and Transitions Manager and the wider team supporting testing activities, payroll validation, knowledge transfer, and the successful handover of clients into BAU operations.

This position requires strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, along with excellent analytical skills and attention to detail to ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery. Experience of payroll testing activities, including UAT, payroll validation, comparison/parallel runs, and regression testing, is highly desirable. Knowledge of additional European payrolls would be advantageous.

The Payroll Operations and Testing Specialist is expected to always maintain strict confidentiality, comply with data protection (GDPR) requirements, and undertake any reasonable duties as requested by line management. Acting as a key point of contact for assigned clients, the role also contributes to continuous improvement within payroll processes, testing activities, and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Management

• Process end-to-end payroll activities for assigned clients, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with UK (and where applicable other European) payroll regulations.
• Investigate and resolve payroll processing issues, discrepancies, and employee or client enquiries arising during payroll cycles, escalating complex matters where appropriate.
• Support the onboarding of new clients by working closely with the Payroll Operations and Transitions Manager, assisting with payroll checks, transition activities, and the first live payroll runs to ensure a smooth handover into payroll operations.
• Provide payroll and testing subject matter expertise to support the development of training materials and user guidance where required.
• Work with relevant team members to maintain client payroll calendars and task lists, ensuring payroll activities are completed in line with agreed service levels and statutory deadlines.
• Create, maintain, and update client-specific Statement of Procedure (SoP) documents, ensuring they accurately reflect current payroll processes and controls.
• Execute payroll testing activities for payroll configuration changes, legislative updates, system upgrades, SAP Notes, and work schedule changes, and other payroll-related developments
• Prepare and carry out User Acceptance Testing (UAT), regression testing, and comparison or parallel run validation activities for payroll system and legislative changes, analysing results, identifying discrepancies, and supporting their resolution.
• Validate payroll results from testing cycles, comparison or parallel runs, documenting outcomes and escalating issues where required.
• Support the Payroll Operations and Testing Manager by providing testing evidence, results, and recommendations prior to final approval and release into BAU.
• Provide support and guidance to payroll colleagues, sharing knowledge and best practice where appropriate.