PAYROLL & BENEFITS OFFICER

Description:

Payroll & Benefits Officer
Location: Hybrid - Southampton / Bournemouth
Hours: Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours
Salary Range: £27,000 - £33,000 per annum (Pro-rata for part-time hours)
Contract Type: 3-6 Month Fixed-Term Contract (with potential option to extend)
About the Opportunity
An exciting short-term opportunity has arisen for a skilled Payroll & Benefits Officer to join a dedicated, collaborative payroll division within a UK-leading, corporate organisation.
In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of end-to-end monthly payroll and benefits services across the business. Working within a supportive team environment, you will maintain complete compliance with company policies and statutory regulations, making this an excellent opportunity to add a prestigious, highly regarded brand to your professional portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
* Payroll Administration: Support the end-to-end administration of the monthly payroll process to ensure timely and accurate execution.
* Compliance & Reporting: Assist with Real Time Information (RTI) submissions and other statutory reporting requirements.
* Checks & Controls: Complete thorough payroll checks, controls, and reconciliations to maintain high standards of accuracy.
* Query Resolution: Act as a reliable point of contact, providing clear guidance and support to employees and managers on payroll-related queries.
* Pensions Management: Manage pension auto-enrolment activities and coordinate monthly pension contribution submissions.
* Benefits Administration: Administer payroll activities related to corporate flexible benefits, company car schemes, flexible benefits car schemes, and eye care initiatives.
* Stakeholder Reporting: Produce accurate regular and ad-hoc payroll reports for Finance and wider internal business stakeholders.
* Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance team efficiency and overall service delivery.
* HR & Third-Party Liaison: Work closely with HR colleagues to ensure accurate timelines, and process payments to third parties including HMRC, Give As You Earn (GAYE), and court orders.
* Escalation: Promptly escalate any system or processing issues to the Payroll Team Leader.
What We Are Looking For
To be successful in this position, you will need a strong background in payroll administration, high numerical ability, and outstanding attention to detail:
* Software Expertise: Essential experience using IRIS Cascade Payroll software.
* Industry Experience: Proven payroll experience combined with up-to-date, practical knowledge of HMRC legislation and regulations.
* Professional Qualification: A CIPP Payroll Technician Certificate (or equivalent experience) is highly desirable.
* Administrative & IT Skills: Strong administrative experience, being highly numerate and proficient in standard IT applications, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word.
* Work Management: The ability to effectively prioritise workloads, manage competing deadlines, and work productively both independently and collaboratively.
* Customer Focus: A professional, customer-focused approach, with the sensitivity and discretion required to handle confidential payroll queries.
* Adaptability: A flexible mindset, particularly during key monthly payroll processing periods.
Salary, Benefits & Culture
This organisation has been officially recognised as a leading UK employer, offering an inclusive, supportive, and modern environment where diversity is actively celebrated. Alongside a competitive salary, you will receive a comprehensive and flexible rewards package:
* Flexible & Hybrid Working: Modern hybrid working options designed to support work-life balance, with flexibility around working hours and genuine part-time or job-share arrangements available.
* Generous Annual Leave: A highly competitive annual leave allowance with options to customise your holiday balance through buying and selling schemes.
* Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare options, including dental plans, health cash plans, screening services, and dedicated mental health and wellness support.
* Financial Benefits: Highly competitive corporate pension plans, regular salary reviews, discretionary bonus schemes, and exclusive employee savings and loan initiatives.
* Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced paid parental and partner leave schemes, alongside structured return-to-work programmes to support family life.
* Perks & Discounts: Group discounts on home and motor cover, technology saving schemes, cycle-to-work programs, and a variety of corporate lifestyle discounts and social club events.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced payroll professional with IRIS Cascade expertise who can hit the ground running in a collaborative, top-tier corporate environment, please submit your CV for immediate consideration