Payroll Administrator

Regional Services; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading corporate payroll service in Preston seeks a Payroll Administrator for an 18-month fixed term contract. The ideal candidate will manage complex payrolls, ensure data accuracy, and resolve payroll-related inquiries. Essential skills include prior payroll administration experience, attention to detail, and IT proficiency. This role offers a competitive compensation package and various employee benefits within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Employee share plans

Health and wellbeing benefits

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll administration is essential.
• Strong attention to detail is necessary.
• Proficient IT skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process high-volume complex Payrolls accurately.
• Ensure all data is processed into the payroll system on time.
• Resolve payroll-related queries effectively.
• Support production of all RTI and year-end returns.
• Identify actions to prevent under/overpayments.
• Prioritize workload and use problem-solving skills.

Skills

Payroll administrative background

Attention to detail

IT Skills

Education

CIPP or Equivalent Payroll qualification

Job description

Job Title

Payroll Administrator (Fixed term contract 18 months)

Location

Preston. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary

£ 30,800

What you’ll be doing

• Responsible for the accurate preparation and processing of high-volume complex Payrolls in line with SLA’s and HMRC legislation.
• Ensuring all data is processed accurately into the payroll system to agreed timeline.
• Supporting in ensuring all Payroll process documents is accurate and regularly updated, escalating any discrepancies or changes required.
• Responsible for resolving business, employee, and Third-Party payroll related queries, ensuring the most effective communication method is used. I.e., Customer facing.
• Responsible for identifying and taking relevant preventative action to minimise under/over payments.
• Supporting in the production of all RTI and year-end returns including P60’s, reconciliation of PAYE and NI deductions and Pension deductions.
• Prioritising own workload and use initiative and problem‑solving capabilities to always provide a responsive Payroll Service.

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• Payroll administrative background is essential.
• Attention to detail.
• IT Skills.

Desirable:

• CIPP or Equivalent Payroll qualification.
• Knowledge and experience of UK Payroll.
• Payroll legislation knowledge.

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Payroll team

An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of the large UK Payroll Team based at Preston. As a Payroll Administrator you will look after all sectors within BAE. This is a broad role with lots of variety. This is a fantastic opportunity to build on existing skill sets and to work across a variety of key stakeholders at all levels within BAE.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

19th February 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.