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.

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