Payroll and Benefits Manager

Payroll & Benefits Manager

Department – Group HR               Division  - HR Shared Service

Purpose of the role

This role reports to the Head of Transactional HR and is required to actively manage both weekly and monthly payroll activity along with the Group’s compensation and benefits scheme. Providing efficient support and guidance to the wider payroll team, ensuring a professional and compliant approach at all times. Managing a team of 6.

• This role is a permanent opportunity but the client is considering a seasoned contractor to join in the interim.
• Hybrid working from their site based on the Port of Liverpool, Seaforth. 2 days working from home each week.
• Salary of £60,000 - £65,000 PA. With benefits as listed below.

Expectations:

Operating as part of a team is crucial to this role, working within the HR transactional team to support both weekly and monthly paid employees across the entire Group. 

Main Responsibilities: 

• Lead, manage and develop the Group’s payroll function, bringing in best practice and process improvements
• Keeping abreast and adhering to continuously changing payroll legislation by studying existing and new legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management of updates that need to be complied with
• Manage the Group’s compensation and benefits offering, including life assurance and private medical insurance, along with all salary sacrifice benefits
• Management of the Flexible Benefits scheme online portal, communications and the renewal of benefits within the scheme window
• Reconcile payroll reports ahead of submission to pension providers 
• Work as an internal consultant and expert advisor on all payroll, compensation and benefit related matters
• Coordinate the annual salary review and bonus scheme processes
• Oversee the processing of monthly (UK & ROI) and weekly payrolls with a right first time approach
• Ensure compliance for Year End activities including P11d, P60, FPS and EPS submissions and reconciliations
• Managing payroll team members and supporting their development; strengthening and improving payroll skills across the team; providing training where required
• Continuous improvement of the payroll system and benefits system including testing fixes and updates as and when required
• Reconciling the payroll accounts and resolving any payroll discrepancies that may occur
• Oversee the processing of the Flexible Benefits scheme across the Company to ensure completed correctly in line with external provider deadlines
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
• Project manage the absorbing of other payrolls after future acquisition
• Be fully up to date and knowledgeable of all Company policies and procedures in order to deliver the highest standards of payroll advice to employees
• Provide proactive payroll support to the wider HR team, line managers and employees
• Adhere to internal reporting deadlines and obligations using agreed systems and processes, including, and not limited, to payroll software, spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel and payroll procedure manuals
• Ability to prioritise and meet strict deadlines
• Communicate professionally and effectively with stakeholders internal and external to the HR and payroll function, identifying the appropriate communication media for each situation
• Demonstrate in all tasks and interactions the professional ethical standards relevant to the HR and payroll profession, Company values and role whilst adhering to legal requirements such as the principles of confidentiality
• Adhere to GDPR legislation
• Any other responsibilities deemed suitable to the role and where trained to do so

Experience required:

• Experienced payroll professional
• Experience in payroll integration – we have weekly and monthly and would look to integration so if they have this experience that would be great – essential for the interim
• Systems integration – they have introduced phase 1 of Time and Attendance but have further phases to progress
• System improvements
• Specialist tax/payroll/manual calculations experience
• Leadership experience – will have the background and aspiration to build knowledge of the existing team
• Understanding pension regulations

Benefits:

The client has a strong track record of developing our people to expand their skills and experience and develop their careers.  Valuing and rewarding their workforce is important to them which is why they offer a fantastic range of flexible benefits to choose from, such as:

• 27 days holiday per annum (plus bank holidays)
• This role requires supporting a 24/7 on call rota, typically one week in four, for which an allowance is paid
• Pension – matched contribution scheme up to 10%
• Flexible Benefits including salary sacrifice car scheme, healthcare cash plans, Cycle2Work Scheme, critical illness insurance, gyms, retail vouchers
• Commitment to learning and personal development 
• We promote good physical and mental health and can provide additional support to colleagues via our employee assistance programme when required

For further information, please contact Imogen Parr: (url removed)