Payroll Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Assistant

📍 City of London (3 days office)
💰 £40,000 + Discretionary Bonus (up to 12%)
📄 Permanent

A prestigious international professional services firm, headquartered in the City of London, is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Assistant to join its established HR & Talent team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly respected partnership environment where payroll and benefits are seen as a critical, valued function within the wider people strategy.

The Role

You will take ownership of the monthly UK payroll (600+ employees) and play a key role in the administration and continuous improvement of payroll, pensions and benefits processes.

Key responsibilities include:

* End-to-end monthly UK payroll processing, including RTI and payroll journals

* Managing starters, leavers, statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, SAP, ShPP), auto-enrolment and pension administration

* Month-end and year-end processes including P60s and reconciliations

* PAYE and NI reconciliations with HMRC

* Benefits administration and provider liaison

* Handling payroll and benefits queries from employees and partners

* Monthly and annual benefit reconciliations

* Supporting system upgrades, benefits renewals and testing

* Maintaining documentation and driving continuous process improvement

This role sits within a global HR & Talent function of circa 50 professionals and offers exposure to broader people initiatives, strategy and projects.

What We’re Looking For

* Experience in a payroll & benefits role (professional services environment desirable)

* Strong Excel skills with confidence handling complex data

* Experience using Workday or another payroll system

* Partnership or law firm experience beneficial

* Degree qualified or equivalent practical experience

* A detail-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative environment

Why Join?

This firm offers a genuinely supportive and people-focused culture, alongside a highly competitive benefits package:

* Discretionary bonus (up to 12%)

* Private medical and dental cover (family included)

* Life assurance

* Flexible benefits platform (gym discounts, retail vouchers and more)

* Tech, cycle and electric car schemes

* Generous family-friendly policies

* Paid volunteering leave

* Comprehensive wellbeing strategy covering physical, emotional, financial and social health