Oakleaf Partnership
Senior Payroll Specialist

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Senior Payroll Specialist
Location: City of London
Job Type: Permanent
Salary: paying between £60,000 and £75,000
Hybrid: 2 days a week in the office, 3 at home
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to join a well-established global organisation with an excellent reputation and a genuinely supportive culture.
Joining a close-knit payroll team of three, you'll play a key role in delivering an accurate and compliant UK payroll for approximately 1,400 employees, whilst gaining exposure to European payrolls.
The team are passionate about continuous improvement, embracing technology and finding better ways of working. If you enjoy solving problems, building relationships and taking ownership, you'll fit right in.
The Role
Reporting into the Payroll Manager, you'll be responsible for the smooth running of the monthly UK payroll, working closely with HR, Finance and external payroll providers.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing the end-to-end UK monthly payroll for around 1,400 employees.
- Processing payroll changes including starters, leavers, salary changes, pensions, statutory payments and deductions.
- Working closely with the outsourced payroll provider to ensure payroll accuracy and service delivery.
- Supporting European payroll activities, with opportunities to develop your knowledge across multiple countries.
- Producing payroll reconciliations, variance analysis and payroll reporting.
- Partnering with Finance on payroll journals, month-end activities and tax year-end processes.
- Responding to employee payroll queries and building strong relationships across HR and the wider business.
- Supporting payroll projects, process improvements and system enhancements.
- Using technology and AI tools to improve efficiencies and streamline payroll processes.
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Skills & Experience
- Strong end-to-end UK payroll experience gained within a complex or corporate environment.
- A solid understanding of UK payroll legislation including PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and statutory payments.
- Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.
- Strong Excel skills and experience with payroll reconciliations and reporting.
- Exposure to Oracle and payroll systems such as SD Worx would be advantageous.
- European payroll experience would be beneficial, but isn't essential. If you have strong UK payroll knowledge and are keen to expand your international exposure, please do apply.
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to build relationships with stakeholders across HR, Finance and the wider business.
- A proactive mindset with a genuine interest in improving processes and embracing new technology.


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Why Apply?
This organisation has built a collaborative culture where payroll is seen as a valued business function rather than simply an administrative process. This is a business that that encourages initiative, values ideas and gives employees the autonomy to improve the way things are done. In this role you can make an impact, develop your skills and be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team!
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