Senior Payroll Specialist

Leicester | 9-Month Temporary Role | £35,000–£45,000 equivalent Temporary with genuine opportunity to become permanent 4 days office / 1 day home | Flexible start and finish times Macildowie are working with a large, well-established international business in Leicester to recruit an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist for an initial nine-month temporary assignment. This is much more than a straightforward payroll processing role. You'll take ownership of a sizeable UK payroll operation, work closely with an outsourced payroll provider and act as a key point of contact across Payroll, HR and Finance. There is also a genuine opportunity for the role to become permanent , with longer-term progression potentially available into a Payroll Team Leader position. The Role You'll be responsible for ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, compliantly and on time, while working closely with an external payroll provider who manages much of the core processing. Key responsibilities will include: Taking day-to-day ownership of payroll delivery

Reviewing and validating payroll data and outputs

Checking payroll reports, reconciliations and gross-to-net calculations

Working closely with an outsourced payroll provider to resolve discrepancies

Investigating payroll errors and ensuring issues are resolved quickly and accurately

Ensuring payroll remains compliant with relevant legislation and internal policies

Supporting employees and managers with payroll and benefits queries

Working closely with HR, Finance and other internal stakeholders

Supporting statutory reporting and audit requirements

Managing payroll data relating to starters, leavers, salary changes, deductions and benefits

Supporting upcoming payroll and benefits projects

Assisting with bonus processing and wider payroll improvement activity

The role offers a good mix of BAU payroll ownership, stakeholder management, outsourced payroll management and project work . What We're Looking For We're looking for an experienced payroll professional who is comfortable taking accountability and working with a high level of autonomy. You'll ideally have: Strong UK payroll experience

Previous experience working with an outsourced payroll provider

Experience reviewing and checking payroll rather than solely processing it

Good knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax and statutory compliance

Strong payroll reconciliation and reporting experience

Strong Excel skills

Excellent attention to detail

Confidence dealing with stakeholders across HR, Finance and the wider business

Experience within a large or complex organisation would be advantageous

ADP and/or SAP experience would be beneficial

The underlying role also places importance on payroll compliance, reconciliations, reporting, audit support and working closely with HR and Finance. What's on Offer Initial 9-month temporary assignment

Salary equivalent of approximately £35,000–£45,000 , depending on experience

Flexibility to consider stronger interim payroll specialists

Genuine opportunity to become permanent

Potential longer-term progression into a Payroll Team Leader role

4 days per week in the Leicester office

1 day working from home

Flexible start and finish times

Exposure to a large, international business

Opportunity to get involved in payroll projects and process improvements

Please note: Due to the payroll calendar and existing team commitments, candidates will need to be available throughout December outside of the company's normal Christmas closure days.