Payroll Officer

Deliver the end-to-end preparation, processing, and delivery of accurate, timely, and compliant monthly payrolls across payroll administered from the UK (including our sites in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England). Act as the technical and operational subject matter expert (SME), taking ownership of time and attendance data integration. Build and continually improve the modernisation, automation, and digitisation of legacy, immature Excel-based processes into robust, scalable workflows while upholding rigorous internal audit controls, statutory compliance, and high service standards.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Monthly Payroll Operations & Delivery

• Manage and process end-to-end monthly payrolls for salaried white-collar staff and hourly/shift-based blue-collar personnel across Northern Ireland and the wider UK.
• Review, reconcile, and import high-volume timesheets, shift differentials, overtime, site allowances, project hours, and discretionary bonuses, ensuring seamless data flow between Time & Attendance (T&A) systems and payroll.
• Accurately calculate complex statutory payments and deductions under UK and NI legislation, including SSP, SMP, SPP, holiday pay (including 52-week reference period / rolled-up / average calculations), Court Orders/DEAs, and student loans.
• Support expatriate payroll requirements where applicable (e.g., modified schemes, shadow payrolls, and cross-border worker compliance).
• Manage starters, leavers, off-cycle adjustments, payroll advances, and prompt issuance of P45s and P60s.
• Prepare and submit all statutory returns to HMRC, DWP, and relevant agencies, including Real Time Information (RTI: FPS/EPS) and tax year-end filings.

Digitisation, Automation & Process Improvement

• Actively eliminate manual, immature, and error-prone Excel-based workarounds by re-engineering and automating routines into modern, auditable workflows.
• Drive system capability, adoption, and best practices within cloud payroll software (ideally Staffology), utilising automated rules, API connections, and digital employee self-service.
• Standardise and secure timesheet submission and data import templates across all operational sites.

• Compliance, Governance & Audit

• Execute strict pre- and post-payroll internal audit procedures and variance reconciliations to ensure consistent first-time-right accuracy.
• Maintain up-to-date compliance with HMRC, employment regulations, National Minimum Wage / National Living Wage rules, and statutory reporting standards.
• Administer workplace pension schemes, overseeing monthly auto-enrolment assessments, contribution schedules, and regulatory filings.
• Facilitate internal and external audits, collaborate on finance reconciliations, and produce accurate monthly payroll journal reports for Finance.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Mentorship

• Serve as the primary point of contact for complex payroll queries, resolving employee and management inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
• Partner effectively with HR, Site Operations, and Finance to ensure consistent application of terms, conditions, and company policies.
• Provide technical guidance, peer review, and coaching to payroll administrators and officers to strengthen overall team resilience.

• Qualifications: CIPP qualification (Certificate, Diploma, or Foundation Degree in Payroll Practice) or equivalent demonstrably relevant professional payroll accreditation is essential.
• Payroll Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ demonstrable experience managing end-to-end monthly payroll delivery within fast-paced UK multi-site environments.
• Workforce Expertise: Proven track record handling both white-collar (salaried/head office) and blue-collar (operational, engineering, shipyard, manufacturing, or construction) workforces, with specific experience managing high-volume timesheets, shift premiums, and complex site agreements.
• Expatriate Payrolls: Prior experience with or working knowledge of expatriate payroll administration (inbound/outbound assignees, modified payrolls, tax equalisation) is beneficial.
• Legislative Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of UK and Northern Ireland statutory payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, statutory leaves, auto-enrolment, and holiday pay case law.
• Systems & Modernisation:
• - Hands-on experience with modern payroll solutions; working proficiency with Staffology Payroll (or equivalent modern API-enabled cloud payroll platform) is strongly advantageous.
• - Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (nested logic, XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data modelling) combined with a proven background in de-risking and replacing manual spreadsheets with automated system-driven workflows.
• - Practical experience interfacing Time & Attendance (T&A) software directly with payroll engines.
• Attributes: Strong analytical and numerical capabilities, high attention to detail, strong stakeholder communication, and a disciplined approach to confidential data management.

• Competitive base pay
• Company pension
• 33 days holiday
• Life assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan (optional)

***Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance***

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.