Senior Reward and Payroll Specialist

Our client, a leading UK professional services firm with offices across the UK, are looking for a Senior Reward & Payroll Specialist to join our their team within the Payroll and Benefits function. This role is a critical part of ensuring smooth payroll operations, providing expert guidance on benefits, and supporting our overall reward and recognition strategy.

You will thrive in a busy, deadline-driven environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and professionalism. The role offers hybrid working options, combining office-based and home working.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day processing of payroll, ensuring accurate, timely completion and assisting the team with escalated payroll queries.

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Advise on and administer employee benefits, including pensions, health schemes, and other rewards.

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Support the development and implementation of reward and recognition initiatives, aligning programmes with organisational goals and culture.

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Ensure all payroll and reward systems are up to date, compliant with legislation, and processed on time (e.g., pensions, auto-enrolment).

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Keep abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and statutory requirements, advising senior management on policy and compliance impacts.

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Provide accurate payroll, holiday, and benefits guidance to colleagues, responding professionally to queries.

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Work closely with Finance, preparing reports and reconciliations as required.

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Manage relationships with benefits providers, overseeing renewals, reconciliations, and supplier payments.

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Contribute to projects and initiatives, including salary reviews, bonuses, benefits renewals, and other ad hoc tasks.

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Generate and analyse management information (MI) reports to support decision-making.

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Support document management and ensure adherence to information security policies.

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Process expenses claims and maintain general administrative duties as required.

Person Specification

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Professional membership of CIPP

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Strong understanding of payroll calculations, legislation, and HMRC compliance

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Experience working in Payroll and Benefits or Reward in a fast-paced environment

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Excellent attention to detail and accuracy

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Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

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Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively solve problems

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Strong written and verbal communication skills

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Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated payroll and reward professional to join a forward-thinking team, work on a range of challenging and varied tasks, and contribute to shaping the organisation’s reward strategy while supporting colleagues across the business