Senior Payroll Specialist

Join a globally recognised brand with a great culture
Take ownership of end-to-end payroll with broad, varied responsibilities

About Our Client

Our client is a leading international retailer with a strong presence across the UK and Europe. Known for its collaborative and people-focused culture, the business is committed to employee well-being, continuous development, and delivering an exceptional experience for both customers and employees. They are looking for a Senior payroll specialist to join their London team on a permanent basis.

Job Description

Process end-to-end monthly payroll accurately and within strict deadlines.
Review and validate payroll data, including starters, leavers, contractual changes, and worked hours.
Act as a key point of contact for payroll queries across the business.
Build strong relationships with HR, Finance, and operational stakeholders.
Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies prior to payroll sign-off.
Administer employee benefits and support annual payroll activities.
Monitor payroll schedules and ensure all data is submitted on time.
Support payroll audits, compliance requirements, and reporting activities.
Assist with payroll system testing, upgrades, and process improvements.
Coach and support colleagues, helping to develop payroll knowledge across the team.
Produce and maintain payroll training documentation and best-practice guidance.
Work closely with the Payroll Manager to review and finalise payroll outputs.

The Successful Applicant

A successful Senior Payroll Administrator should have:

Strong experience in payroll processing (5+ years experience)
Available to start work on 14/09/2026
CIPP qualified (Technician level or above) or working towards a qualification.
Proven experience processing end-to-end payroll accurately and to strict deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Confident communicating with stakeholders across HR, Finance, and the wider business.
Customer-focused with a proactive and solutions-driven approach to payroll queries.
Experience handling confidential employee data with discretion and integrity.
Comfortable supporting process improvements and adapting to changing payroll requirements.
Experience with SAP SuccessFactors and/or Workday would be advantageous.
Enthusiastic team player with a genuine interest in wellbeing, sport, or an active lifestyle.