Payroll Assistant

Job Title
- Payroll Assistant

Salary - £35,000- £40,000

Location - Coventry

Payroll Processing & Administration

Lead on the preparation and submission of payroll hours and variable pay data for c.500 employees

Validate payroll inputs including overtime, absences, starters, leavers, and contractual changes

Coordinate payroll timelines and submissions with the outsourced payroll provider

Review payroll reports and outputs for accuracy prior to final sign-off

Ensure payroll deadlines are met consistently

Tax, Compliance & Controls

Ensure correct application of PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions, and statutory payments

Support compliance with HMRC requirements and payroll legislation

Assist with year-end processes including P60s, P11

Ds (where applicable), and audits

Maintain accurate payroll records and documentation

Stakeholder Support

Act as the first point of contact for payroll queries from employees and managers

Liaise with HR, Finance, and the outsourced payroll provider to resolve discrepancies

Support onboarding and offboarding processes from a payroll perspective

Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and data accuracy

Support system updates, testing, and process changes with the payroll provider

Person Specification

Essential

Previous experience in a payroll role, ideally processing payroll for a large workforce (300+ employees)

Strong understanding of payroll hours processing and UK payroll tax basics

Experience working with an outsourced payroll provider

High level of accuracy and attention to detail

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage deadlines

Confident communicator, able to liaise with internal teams and external partners

Desirable

Payroll qualification (e.g. CIPP) or working towards one

Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms

Knowledge of pensions auto-enrolment

Experience supporting payroll audits or year-end processes

Key Competencies

Ownership and accountability

Confidentiality and discretion

Problem-solving mindset

Ability to work under pressure during payroll cycles

Collaborative and service-focused approach