We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Payroll Officer to join our small, friendly payroll team at Brett Group. Reporting to the Payroll & Pensions Manager, you’ll play an important role in delivering accurate and timely payroll across the Group. This is a varied, hands-on role offering the opportunity to take ownership of your work, develop your payroll knowledge and contribute to improving our processes and ways of working.
Purpose of the Job:
To support the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll across the Brett Group, ensuring employees are paid correctly and in accordance with statutory requirements and Company policies.
The role supports the day-to-day delivery of payroll, ensuring accurate records are maintained and payroll queries are handled promptly and professionally. Working closely with the Payroll & Pensions Manager, the Job Holder will help ensure the smooth running of the payroll function, maintaining effective controls and contributing to ongoing process improvements.
Main Responsibilities / Tasks:
Payroll Processing:
• Assist with the end-to-end processing of the Group's salaried, monthly and Britannia crew payrolls, ensuring accurate and timely payments.
• Process payroll information including starters, leavers, timesheets, overtime, allowances, unpaid leave, tax codes and employee details.
• Calculate and process statutory payments, parental pay, absence and payroll deductions.
• Administer payroll-related benefits including Payrolling of Benefits in Kind (PBIK) and various salary sacrifice schemes.
• Assist with payroll validation, reconciliations and the closing of payroll cycles, identifying and resolving discrepancies.
Pensions & Third-Party Payments
• Maintain accurate pension records, including scheme enrolments, changes and contributions.
• Assist with the processing and reconciliation of pension contributions and other third-party payments.
Compliance & Reporting
• Ensure payroll processing complies with HMRC legislation, statutory requirements and the Group’s policies.
• Prepare month-end payroll reports and provide information to Finance and other departments as required.
• Complete Office for National Statistics (ONS) surveys.
• Assist with annual payroll audits, PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSA) and Group Accident & Travel Insurance renewals.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, document control and filing systems in accordance with GDPR and audit requirements.
Systems & Process Improvement
• Maintain accurate employee information within payroll and HR systems.
• Support payroll system updates, process improvements and the development of payroll procedures.
• Assist in maintaining effective controls and data accuracy across payroll and HR systems.
Communication & Team Support
• Act as a point of contact for payroll queries, responding professionally by email and telephone.
• Liaise with HR, Finance and operational management to resolve payroll discrepancies and queries.
• Provide administrative support and appropriate cover for the Payroll & Pensions Manager.
This job outline covers the main responsibilities and duties of the role. The Job Holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties from time to time.
We're Looking For:
- Proactive, inquisitive and willing to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Highly organised, methodical and able to manage competing priorities.
- Reliable, adaptable and able to work effectively under pressure.
- Professional, approachable and discreet when handling confidential information.
- Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
- Willingness to learn, develop and take ownership of responsibilities.
Knowledge And Skills:
Essential:
- Good working knowledge of payroll processes, statutory requirements and relevant legislation.
- Experience of running and processing various salary sacrifice schemes, including Pension Salary Sacrifice, Cycle to Work and Car Salary Sacrifice
- Strong numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve discrepancies.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong planning, organisational and time management skills.
- Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and payroll software.
- Ability to interpret and apply payroll legislation, Company policies and procedures.
- Ability to identify process improvements and contribute to implementing change.
- GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent qualifications
- From time to time working outside normal hours will be required.
Desirable:
- Previous experience of processing payroll in a multi-company environment.
- Experience using SD Worx payroll software and/or IFS HR systems.
- Knowledge of workplace pensions and automatic enrolment.
Specific Training / Professional Qualifications
Essential:
- Experience using a cloud-based payroll software, such as SD Worx or similar.
- Competent in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.
Desirable:
- CIPP qualification or willing to work towards a recognised payroll qualification.
- Experience of working with non-integrated payroll and HR systems, including the reconciliation and transfer of data between systems.
Previous Industry/Job Experience:
Essential:
- Minimum of three years' recent, hands-on payroll processing experience.
- Experience of working to payroll deadlines and managing competing priorities.
We'll Offer You
- A competitive salary
- Generous pension
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Life assurance
- Career and professional development
- Free onsite parking
- Employee assistance programme
- Enhanced parental leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discounts
- Plus more!