Payroll Software Implementation Specialist

Employment Type: Interim, Fixed term contract - (expected six-month duration)

Working Hours: Monday – Friday

What’s in it for you…

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job - you’re starting a career with real support behind it.

• Annual leave
• Hybrid working
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Car allowance
• Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP and Mental health support & counselling services
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more!
• Life assurance cover
• Long service recognition
• Active local social committees
• Regular social events

About the role…

As a Payroll Software Implementation Specialist, you will work closely with the Payroll Project Lead and play a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of our payroll transformation initiative across a complex UK payroll environment within the organisation. This role is ideal for someone with hands-on experience in complex UK payroll software implementations and integrations (specific experience in Zellis’ ZellisONE, Zellis HCM AIR SaaS, Zellis HCM Cloud SaaS and/or Zellis Private Cloud SaaS would be advantageous) and proven capability in data migration, process improvement and governance, and supporting stakeholders through all phases of implementation.

This is a fixed-term contract with a minimum period of 6 months. Working hours are 40 hours per week Monday - Friday. The role will be based from our head office in Chorley, with occasional travel & hybrid working.

As a Payroll Software Implementation Specialist, you will support a seamless transition into new software and new ways of working.

• Payroll system migration: working closely with the Payroll Project Lead to lead and support end to end migration activities across Zellis, PeopleHR, Ipsum.live Jobs, Business Central and other required internal systems, including data extraction, cleansing, mapping, validation, and reconciliation
• Facilitate workshops and develop training materials and user guidance documentation to define requirements, business processes, and future-state operating models, and manage stakeholder expectations and provide regular project updates
• Process documentation: create clear “as-is” and “to-be” process maps, workflows, and procedural documentation
• Data analysis & preparation: define, review, audit, and prepare payroll data and datasets for migration, ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Testing & UAT: coordinate and execute payroll testing, cycles, parallel runs, defect resolution, and statutory calculation checks
• Stakeholder engagement: working closely with HR, Finance, IT, Operations, and external vendors to ensure project alignment and smooth delivery throughout implementation
• System configuration: support system configuration of complex and varied payroll rules, pay elements, GL mapping, and integrations with HRIS/ERP systems
• Compliance & Controls: ensure payroll processes meet HMRC, GDPR and data protection legislative requirements, RTI and PAYE/NIC’s requirements, pensions regulations, and internal governance standards
• Change management: assist with training, communication, and handover to BAU payroll teams at go-live stage
  

Experience and Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll legislation and payroll best practice.
• Hands on experience with UK payroll systems, ideally with Zellis Technology.
• Proven experience and strong understanding or payroll interfaces with HRIS, Finance ERP, Time & Attendance, and pension and other benefit and third-party providers
• Proven experience in data migration, including cleansing, mapping, and validation
• Significant experience of complex payroll models including multiple payroll frequencies, multiple legal entities, TUPE transfers, harmonisation programmes, and complex pay calculations
• Confident working with large datasets and Excel
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical details into clear guidance
• Significant experience supporting UK system implementations and/or payroll transformation projects
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail