Payroll and Benefits Manager

We are seeking a skilled Payroll and Benefits Manager, who, alongside project and change responsibilities, will also manage BAU payroll and benefit operations, to ensure seamless continuity during the transition.

The Payroll and Benefits Manager will be undertaking such duties as:

• Manage the movement of the fully managed UK payroll to a fully outsourced payroll (via ADP), and the resulting processes as an output of that change process, ensuring alignment with business requirements and compliance standards
• Drive the payroll change project from start to finish, meeting agreed‑upon scope, timeline, and budget
• Analyse and streamline existing payroll processes to deliver greater efficiency and accuracy
• Develop and execute a change management strategy, to support smooth adoption of new systems and processes
• Collaborate with the wider teams in HR & Finance, and external vendors to define goals, manage expectations, and resolve challenges
• Provide regular updates on project progress, risks, and key milestones to senior leadership
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll and benefits, for all employees during the change period
• Maintain adherence to all legal, tax, and regulatory requirements within payroll operations
• Address and resolve payroll and benefit related queries, or issues in a timely manner
• Provide guidance and support to the HR team, ensuring continuity and adherence to high standards of service delivery
• Identify and implement improvements to BAU payroll and benefit operations, even as the change progresses

• Sole responsibility for fully managed:
• two UK payrolls (headcount 400) (fully managed, ADP iHCM2)
• one French payroll (headcount
  1) (fully managed, Primexis)
• one Australian payroll (headcount 15) (fully managed, PWC)
• Being fully responsible for the accuracy and content of the payroll, collating data changes, starters, leavers, benefit changes
• Sharing all payroll reports with Finance, ensuring all payments are made
• Preparation of annual returns
• UK - P60s and P11
  
  Ds
• Australia / France – year end returns
• Full management of the UK benefits platform, and annual benefit window project and launch;
• Maintain relationships with benefit vendors and brokers, managing benefit policy renewals and costs for all three countries
• Provide any advice or guidance on employee benefits
• Manage the annual Short-Term Business Visitors return
• Global mobility matters, applying for Certificate A1’s
• Proven experience leading payroll change projects.
• Strong knowledge of payroll and benefit processes, legislation, and compliance in the UK
• Ideally have experience of ADP iHCM
• Experience managing BAU payroll operations alongside project responsibilities
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively, balancing transformation and operational demands
• A results‑driven, proactive mindset with excellent organisational skills

Please note: We conduct thorough pre‑employment screening checks as part of our recruitment process.

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network. We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across Energy, Transport and associated Infrastructure.

The firm has achieved rapid expansion and year‑on‑year growth owed almost entirely to a focused strategy, strong leadership and the quality of its people. The next stage in the firm’s growth plan is to achieve full‑service strength within core sectors across the global platform.

We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values, which rest on developing deep and long‑lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.

Our global practice is integrated across our offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America delivering consistently high levels of service across borders and locally through a deep understanding of local business customs and culture.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace to attract and retain the most talented people from all backgrounds and cultures. We believe in celebrating difference and that people from any background can rise to the top, ensuring opportunities to develop and progress are available for all.