Payroll Specialist

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Smith’s Detection is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to take ownership of a critical payroll function supporting approximately 500 employees across the UK

This is not a traditional payroll processing role. We are looking for a payroll expert who can lead from the front, ensuring payroll compliance, driving continuous improvement, strengthening governance, and acting as the organisation’s subject matter expert for all payroll-related matters.

As Smiths Detection continues to evolve as a standalone business, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape payroll processes, influence future system developments, and play a key role in bringing payroll expertise in-house.

Reporting to the HR Manager, you will take ownership of payroll operations across multiple UK legal entities while providing oversight.

Working closely with HR, Finance, Reward, external payroll providers and key stakeholders, you will ensure payroll is delivered accurately, compliantly, and efficiently while improving existing processes and controls.

We are looking for someone who enjoys solving problems, taking ownership, challenging the status quo and implementing improvements rather than simply processing payroll transactions.

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process across UK operations.
• Act as the payroll compliance and governance expert.
• Manage relationships with outsourced payroll providers and third-party partners.
• Review payroll outputs and reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Provide guidance on payroll legislation, taxation, statutory payments and best practice.
• Handle complex payroll queries and investigations.
• Support payroll accounting, reconciliations, reporting and audit activities.
• Administer payroll-related benefits and salary sacrifice schemes.
• Drive payroll process improvements, automation and system enhancements.
• Support future payroll projects, integrations, system implementations and business transformation initiatives.
• Partner with HR, Finance and external stakeholders to deliver an exceptional payroll service.

• Significant experience managing end-to-end UK payroll within a complex organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and statutory payments.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers.
• Experience with pensions, benefits and salary sacrifice schemes.
• Strong understanding of payroll controls, governance and compliance.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of a business-critical function.
• Exceptional attention to detail and confidentiality.

• Exposure to multiple legal entities.
• Experience with payroll integrations, interfaces and data governance.
• Payroll transformation, migration or system implementation…