Full job descriptionSenior Payroll Advisor
Location: Romford
Workplace: Hybrid (c. 1 day per week in office)
Salary: £35,000 – £40,000
A respected UK professional services group is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Advisor to take ownership of a complex, multi-site client portfolio. This is a visible, client-facing role where you’ll be the technical authority on high-frequency payrolls spanning payrolled benefits, share schemes, Teachers’ Pensions, complex pension arrangements and international assignments.
You’ll go beyond processing: advising clients, mentoring colleagues, solving problems at pace and shaping best practice across a modern, high-performing payroll bureau.
Romford-based with excellent links — easily commutable via the Elizabeth line from central and east London and across Essex.
About the firm
This organisation is a leading national advisory, tax and audit group with a strong regional footprint and access to a global network. It’s known for its collaborative culture, modern flexibility and commitment to client service delivered with clarity and care.
The group is recognised for:
*People-first values and inclusive teamwork
*Hybrid working and genuine work-life balance
*Investment in learning, progression and professional accreditation
*A diverse client base that keeps the work challenging and rewarding
The role
You’ll manage end-to-end payroll delivery across weekly, monthly and annual cycles for complex, multi-entity clients. You will act as a trusted senior point of contact, ensure full compliance with HMRC and The Pensions Regulator requirements, and help drive continuous improvement across systems and processes.
Key responsibilities include:
*Managing end-to-end payrolls for complex, high-frequency, multi-site client portfolios (including payrolled benefits, share schemes, Teachers’ Pensions, expatriate payrolls)
*Handling variable and complex pay structures across different brands, legal entities and rules
*Managing all HMRC correspondence, RTI submissions, statutory filings and year-end processes (e.g., P60s, reconciliations)
*Administering auto-enrolment and complex pension schemes in line with TPR requirements
*Operating IRIS Payroll Professional at an advanced level; supporting system implementations, parallel runs and client onboarding
*Advising on holiday pay, Working Time Regulations and statutory payments for irregular earnings
*Mentoring junior team members and championing best practice across the bureau
*Acting as a senior client contact, resolving complex issues promptly and clearly
About you
You’re a confident, client-facing payroll specialist who thrives on complexity and takes pride in getting things right first time.
We’re looking for someone with:
*3+ years’ payroll processing experience, ideally in a bureau or professional services setting
*Strong, current knowledge of UK payroll legislation, auto-enrolment, complex pensions and statutory compliance
*Experience with expatriate, international and multi-entity payrolls
*Advanced proficiency in IRIS Payroll Professional
*Strong Excel skills (formulas for analysis and reporting)
*Excellent communication — able to translate technical detail into clear, practical guidance
*Confidence managing client relationships and complex queries independently
*CIPP qualification (advantageous, not essential)
Benefits
*Transparent pay framework and clear promotion pathways
*25 days’ annual leave plus three additional days at Christmas
*Hybrid and flexible working to support work-life balance
*Comprehensive wellbeing support: Private Health Insurance, Digicare+, Employee Assistance Programme and more
*Professional subscriptions covered
*Inclusive culture with equity, inclusion and flexibility at the core