As part of a team of five within the Payroll & Benefits function, this role supports the delivery of accurate and compliant UK payrolls for around 2,000 employees across 61 hotels and the UK Head Office. The role focuses on payroll analysis, compliance, audit, data integrity and process improvement, ensuring payroll operations remain accurate, efficient and aligned with statutory requirements. The successful candidate will act as a technical lead within the team, driving continuous improvement in payroll controls, reporting and systems.


RESPONSIBILITIES
*Support accurate monthly payroll processing, ensuring robust checks, controls and data validation are in place.
*Act as a payroll subject-matter expert, resolving complex payroll, pension and benefits queries and providing guidance to HR and hotel managers.
*Work closely with HR and hotel managers to maintain accurate employee data.
*Lead payroll audit, compliance and reconciliation activities, ensuring strong internal controls, risk management and data governance.
*Keep up to date with payroll, pensions and benefits legislation, ensuring processes remain compliant with regulatory changes (e.g. holiday pay, tipping legislation).
*Review payroll processes and lead the development of payroll policies, documentation and training materials.
*Support payroll system utilisation and improvements, including reviewing HRIS–Payroll data flows, validating data accuracy and supporting system enhancements.
*Respond to regular and ad-hoc reporting requests from Finance, HR, Operations and other departments (e.g. data required for CSRD and other corporate reporting).
*Contribute to payroll-related projects, system upgrades, process improvements and the development of reporting and integration frameworks across the business.
*Collaborate with Finance on payroll-related reconciliations, journals and month-end requirements.
*Work with external partners and providers to ensure accurate, compliant and efficient payroll, pension and benefits processes.
*Support pension and benefits compliance, including auto-enrolment, contribution accuracy and correct payroll treatment of benefits and benefits-in-kind.
*Support in the preparation of statutory reports (P11D, P60, Gender Pay Gap etc).
*Support statutory year-end activities and liaise with HMRC, The Pensions Regulator and other statutory bodies as required.
*Support internal and external audit requests, preparing documentation and ensuring timely responses.


TRAINING:
Ideally holds a CIPP Certificate or Diploma (or equivalent payroll qualification)


REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
*5+ years of UK in-house payroll experience, ideally within hospitality or a multi-site environment.
*Experience working with pensions and employee benefits, including processing benefits-in-kind.
*Experience in payroll data analysis, reconciliation and maintaining data integrity.
*Experience preparing payroll data for internal and external reporting, including developing reporting automation.
*Experience in UK payroll compliance, statutory requirements and audit support.
*Experience working with Finance, HR and operational stakeholders on payroll data, reporting and reconciliation.
*ADP iHCM experience strongly preferred.


REQUIRED SKILLS:
*Excellent time management and ability to meet strict deadlines in a busy environment.
*Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, advanced formulas; macros desirable).
*High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise effectively
*Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate and resolve payroll data issues
*Solid understanding of UK payroll legislation, including pensions and benefits-in-kind.
*Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-function stakeholders
*Fluent written and verbal English with the ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly and confidently