Senior Payroll Officer

DP World is at the heart of Europe’s trading future, providing the right trading infrastructure, smart logistical solutions, and the advantages of freeport status to our customers. As a dynamic and expanding global logistics provider, our people are central to driving sustained growth and operational excellence.

The Senior Payroll Officer will play a critical role in delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll services across DP World UK Ports & Terminals. As the senior operational specialist for payroll, this position will oversee end‑to‑end payroll delivery for a workforce of approximately 1,500 employees – blue and white collar, ensuring robust controls, data integrity, and high‑quality service. The successful candidate will partner closely with Finance, HR, Operations, and Reward teams while supporting a small payroll team and driving continuous improvement across payroll processes.

Location: London Gateway, Essex
Contract: 16 month FTC

How you will contribute

• Oversee accurate and timely monthly payroll processing for all Ports & Terminals employees.
• Ensure correct calculation of PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions, court orders, flexible benefits, and statutory deductions.
• Manage HMRC submissions including RTI, tax code updates, and statutory notifications.
• Prepare and submit payroll for monthly sign‑off by the Senior Director of HR and Chief Financial Officer.
• Maintain strong internal controls and complete monthly reconciliation of payroll and related accounts.
• Supervise and develop the payroll team, including Payroll Officers, Administrator, and Apprentice.
• Allocate workload, monitor quality, and ensure deadlines and performance standards are achieved.
• Act as the senior operational point of contact for all payroll‑related matters and escalations.
• Interpret UK payroll, tax, and pension legislation, providing recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Ensure payroll systems remain compliant with all statutory thresholds and legislative updates.
• Oversee administration of employee benefits including pensions, flexible benefits, bonuses, and salary reviews.
• Reconcile benefit‑related payroll activity and produce supporting reports.
• Produce and validate monthly payroll reporting including headcount, overtime, salary, bonus, HMRC, and GL outputs.
• Conduct data accuracy checks across payroll, HRIS, and workforce planning systems.
• Support statutory reporting requirements such as ONS submissions and Gender Pay Gap reporting.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and system enhancements.
• Support system testing, payroll audits, and implementation of corrective actions where required.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders including Finance, HR Business Partners, Operations, and Engineering teams.
• Provide expert guidance and resolve complex payroll queries, ensuring a high standard of service delivery.
• Collaborate with Regional and Global Reward teams on payroll, benefits, and reporting alignment.
• Ensure compliance with DP World’s Health & Safety policies and safe working practices.

What you will bring

Qualifications

• AAT NVQ Level 3 in Payroll Administration, CIPP Diploma / Advanced Diploma, IAB Payroll qualification, or equivalent. (Desired)

Experience

• Proven experience managing complex, high‑volume monthly payrolls – Essential.
• Experience supervising payroll staff or overseeing operational payroll activities – Essential.
• Experience working in deadline‑driven, fast‑paced environments – Essential.
• Experience in statutory reporting, benefits administration, and payroll reconciliations – Essential.
• Experience within a multi‑site or operational workforce environment – Desirable.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pensions, auto‑enrolment, and HMRC requirements.
• Advanced payroll systems expertise and strong Excel capability.
• High attention to detail with a strong focus on accuracy and data integrity.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and build relationships across all levels.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and drive improvements.
• Strong stakeholder management and customer‑focused approach.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Compensation

DP World offers exciting and challenging roles within a growing international organization. We strive to hire and develop the right people, locally and globally, stimulating personal growth and self-development within an informal atmosphere. We offer a market competitive compensation package.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 120,000 employees spanning 75 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW

To Change What's Possible For Everyone