Based in Liverpool our client is looking for a Payroll and Reconciliation Technical Lead to join them on a permanent basis. The role offers hybrid working and an excellent benefits package.
THE ROLE
You'll be the Technical Lead for the Pay and Reconciliation Advisors, ensuring knowledge and coaching are undertaken increasing wider-teams knowledge in line with policy, industry, legislative and regulatory practice. You will also provide specialist technical expertise throughout the payroll and benefits lifecycle, liaising with third parties (HMRC & Regulators) regarding submissions, payments, deductions, tax treatment, and statutory changes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage day-to-day and cyclical payroll activity of the payroll analysts, including the payroll helpdesk responding flexibly to any necessary changes in work priorities
- Validate the monthly analysis and reconciliation of pay, benefits, and control accounts, ensuring accuracy and completeness in line with required standards and timescales
- Validate pension activities for contractual and auto-enrolment services across the Group pension schemes, maintaining accuracy and compliance with regulations at all times
- Perform accurate data calculations and analysis of payrolls for the Group and its subsidiaries, including statutory and occupational payments, deductions, and reconciliation of movements and validation of variances (gross & net)
- Complete regulatory returns and reporting including processing monthly and annual payments and benefits within timescales and quality standards e.g. P11d, P60s, PSA FPS, Pensions returns, P45s
- Manage accounting activities, working closely with finance, to ensure costings, GLI accounts, and under and over payments balance reducing any risk to reporting and levy to the organisation
- Lead payroll project management activities, including regular systems upgrades, providing comprehensive end-to-end testing where appropriate
- Provide payroll technical advice and expertise to colleagues across the Group, dealing with complaints and complex queries through to effective resolution, suggesting and implementing continuous improvement activity to prevent any reoccurrences of omissions and processing
- Work closely with third-party suppliers ensuring end-to-end processes, including governance and controls, are delivering a seamless and compliant service to colleagues. Analysis and production of periodic and ad-hoc management information, communicating and presenting findings, often complex and statistical in nature in a simple and user-friendly way
- Lead or contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and change projects to enhance service performance and customer satisfaction, ensuring your deliverables meet service delivery plans
- Maintain all payroll collateral, including procedures and toolkits, ensuring relevance and alignment to the overall People Strategy, compliance frameworks, and business needs
- Provide accurate and timely payroll data to key stakeholders as required for review at regular performance meetings and to input into decision-making as required
- Maintain industry knowledge, keeping abreast of payroll developments and opportunities including pay & benefits tax changes, to contribute to the planning process and future decision-making
THE PERSON
- You will be CIPP or AAT qualified( or equivalent) of Level 4/5 CIPPs Degree, or willing to work towards
- Proven track record of delivering payroll, pensions, and benefits services within a large, complex organisation
- Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities
- Results-driven with strong analytical skills, including the ability to critically analyse complex information, and experience in providing meaningful management information and insights
- Strong numeracy skills with experience in accurately calculating pay, contributions, deduction, overtime, bonuses, and allowances
- Experience in successfully working with payroll/pension-related systems together with strong MS Office skills
