Payroll Specialist

ELEVATE Hub Jobs; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - GBP 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A purpose-led organization in the health and care sector is seeking a dedicated Payroll Specialist on a fixed-term contract until May 2026, with potential for a permanent role. The ideal candidate will manage payroll processes, ensuring accuracy in payroll, sickness, and maternity calculations. Strong Excel skills and a sound understanding of UK payroll legislation are essential. This flexible, values-driven workplace offers a supportive environment and excellent employee care.

Benefits

Free on-site parking

Complimentary staff meals (£2.50)

Welcoming working environment

Qualifications

• Experience in a payroll-focused role with strong payroll knowledge.
• Sound understanding of UK statutory payroll legislation and employer liabilities.
• Highly competent Excel user, comfortable working with complex data.

Responsibilities

• Managing day-to-day payroll processes, including sickness and maternity.
• Overseeing monthly timesheet processing and maintaining accurate payroll records.
• Completing monthly payroll reconciliation and supporting final sign-off.

Skills

Payroll management

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Payroll Specialist

Job: Payroll Specialist

Location: East Kent / Hybrid / Flexible working following training. 4 days will be considered

Employment type: Fixed Term Contract (maternity cover until May 2026 with potential for permanent role)

Salary: £26,000 - £29,000 DOE + Bens

Are you a dedicated Payroll Specialist, with hands-on responsibility for payroll accuracy, including sickness, maternity, pro-rata calculations and corrections? Are you confident with Excel and data integrity? Are you available for a fixed-term contract until May 2026?

Payroll Specialist

Fixed-term contract (maternity cover) – until 22 May 2026

Sirius Search is partnering with a well-established, purpose-led organisation operating within the health and care sector. The organisation places strong emphasis on governance, accuracy and employee experience with good degree of flexibility.

They are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join their HR function, asap, on a fixed-term basis, providing maternity leave cover and ensuring the continuity of a high-quality payroll service. There could be potential for a permanent role and further progression within the organisation.

The opportunity

Payroll is outsourced; however, this is a true specialist role with internal ownership of payroll accuracy, controls and compliance.

You will act as the subject matter expert for all payroll-related matters, managing day-to-day payroll activity, overseeing the relationship with the external payroll provider, and ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.

This role will appeal to someone who enjoys operational payroll, values precision, and takes pride in delivering a dependable service within purpose-led organisations.

Key responsibilities

• Managing day-to-day payroll processes, including sickness, maternity, unpaid leave, pro-rata calculations and pay corrections
• Overseeing monthly timesheet processing and maintaining accurate payroll change records
• Submitting payroll data to the external provider in line with agreed schedules
• Completing monthly payroll reconciliation and supporting final sign-off
• Running payroll and pension reports and ensuring month-end submissions
• Issuing P45s and final payslips to leavers
• Acting as a point of contact for payroll-related queries from HR and employees

Pensions

• Managing pension submissions for new starters, leavers and retirees
• Maintaining compliance with auto-enrolment requirements
• Coordinating pension data and updates with external providers

About you

• Experience in a payroll-focused role with strong payroll knowledge
• Sound understanding of UK statutory payroll legislation and employer liabilities
• Highly competent Excel user, comfortable working with complex data
• Confident communicator, able to explain payroll matters clearly to non-payroll stakeholders
• Well organised, self-motivated and comfortable working to deadlines
• Experience of NHS pensions is advantageous but not essential

Additional information

• Fixed-term contract until 22 May 2026
• Hybrid / flexible working considered (role dependent)
• Values-led organisation with a strong focus on governance and employee care
• Free on-site parking
• Complimentary staff meals (£2.50)
• A friendly, supportive, and welcoming working environment

If this Payroll Specialist role looks of interest and you think you have got what it takes to make a success of the role, please forward your CV today to Cressida Courtney or follow the link and apply online

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond to every applicant individually. Please know that we carefully review each application and will reach out if your qualifications align with the vacancy. Salary banding - To achieve the top end of the salary range, candidates must meet the minimum experience/qualification level required for the role as set out in the job description.

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