Advanced Payroll Operations Specialist, GBS

In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center.

As part of Global Business Services, reporting to the Payroll Operations Team leader, Western Europe; this role is responsible for delivering payroll and employer compliance services.

You will be responsible for co-ordination of the outsourced payroll, and execution of any monthly input, checking or output activities for the full payroll cycle, plus all local employer compliance activities including annual returns and reporting requirements. The role will be responsible for full employer compliance and will therefore be required to keep up to date with changing legislation and implement as necessary.

You will also be responsible for but not limited to: 

• Manage the monthly payroll cycle, including any non-system driven input processing and checking, via the outsourced provider to ensure timely and accurate payment to employees
• Escalate issues on local service providers taking any corrective action where necessary and proactively recommending improvements or efficiencies.
• Provide technical payroll input on any payroll process or system changes as required
• Develop and communicate payroll policy and procedures to ensure roles and responsibilities are clear for all roles involved in the process, including employees, line managers, HR, Finance and the outsourced provider
• Monitor changes in payroll legislation and regulations, adapting and communicating internal policy and procedure changes as required
• Manage contact and communication with external regulatory bodies as required. Maintain up to date knowledge of regulatory requirements and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations
• Ensure accurate payroll accounts and assist the finance departments with account reconciliations and clearing
• Process regular and ad-hoc payroll reporting and payments, Payroll processing of pension auto-enrolment data and flexible benefits from external providers and absence administration for payroll
• Administer company Share and LTI plans, processing sales/exercises, vests and purchase
• Provide payroll reporting and insights to the business as required
• Manage payroll audits and internal control activities

To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

• Strong payroll expertise, including managing complex employer compliance issues, processing annual payroll activities, and building and adapting effective payroll processes.
• Knowledge and experience working with HMRC  
• Knowledge of external payroll regulation and a track record of managing within regulations, particularly regulatory bodies for payroll and benefit taxes
• Basic general ledger understanding and how payroll interacts with finance
• Able to work accurately and calmly to tight deadlines
• Able to work effectively within a dynamic and changing environment, adapting at short notice where needed
• Ability to manage connections with HR, Finance and other internal and external stakeholders
• Fluent English language – written and spoken