Payroll Specialist (10-month FTC)

Job description

About Us

The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It's the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and find an empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards smart, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challenge, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It's a job that's never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace

At the FT, we aim for employees across all regions to have a voice so that diverse perspectives are heard and valued. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs. We'll continue to remove barriers for all, and in particular barriers facing employees from underrepresented groups.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Payroll Manager this position is a key member of the UK HR team. The post holder will be the in-house specialist responsible for the UK and International payrolls, ensuring the timely and accurate payment of the UK workforce as well as providing a critical link between the FT and our managed service payroll providers.

You will be part of a small team delivering an efficient, effective and compliant payroll service to circa 1400 UK Employees and 17 International Employees by processing the payroll from start to finish prior to approval and sign off by the Payroll Manager and Finance. You will be responsible for ensuring that: each stage of the payroll process is properly and timely actioned, all employees are paid correctly, accurate deductions are made and appropriate information is provided to our benefits' providers, HMRC and other statutory bodies.

You will also deliver an excellent service in response to employee queries raised in relation to their payroll and pension provisions.

In this role professionalism is critical as you will regularly deal with sensitive and confidential issues. You will be expected to work in accordance with FT policies and ensure alignment to the FT's values.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Accuracy and Compliance

• To advise the senior managers, employees and line managers on issues of pay, tax, national insurance, pension and other mandatory or voluntary deductions. This involves interpreting legislation and regulations to ensure correct advice is given
  
• Collation of payroll data and accurate data entry
  
• Ensure appropriate reconciliations performed and monies are remitted accurately and on time
  
• Provide an excellent query management service to all employees on the UK payroll
  
• Manage the payroll input into the payroll system
  
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of the payroll
  
• Ensure payroll is processed and paid in line with Internal and External compliance standards
  
• Ensure that pension administration and payments are carried out in accordance with standards set by the Pensions Regulator
  
• Ensure that Benefits administration is carried out in cohesion with payroll processing
  

Planning and Organisation

• Keep informed upon and anticipate the implications of new regulations/legislation to the payroll provisions and to determine the most appropriate method of implementing changes
  
• Manage projects relating to own area of work
  
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of the payroll
  

Problem Solving & Initiative

• Ensure service provision is professional and consistent when advising HR, Managers & employees on resolution of problems
  
• Resolve problems where there is a mass of information or diverse, partial and conflicting data with a range of potential suitable options
  
• Proactively identify process inefficiencies and introduce improvements to combat them
  

Decision Making

• Input data relating to staff payments onto our payroll-HR database on a regular basis, ensuring that staff are paid on time and receive the correct payments.
  
• Liaise closely with colleagues in Finance, ensuring that monthly reconciliations for budget control purposes are undertaken.
  
• To participate in projects to develop the integrated payroll-HR database
  

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications / Competencies / Skills / Experience

Essential

• Experienced at end to end payroll processing from data entry to reconciliation and compliance checking
  
• Experienced at developing innovative solutions to problems and implementing change
  
• Highly proficient in interpreting payroll rules and regulations
  
• Knowledge of GPP schemes and pension scheme administration
  
• Accurate and methodical worker with excellent attention to detail
  
• Ability to summarise and interpret complex data and specialist matters simply, to meet the needs of a diverse audience.
  
• Excellent IT skills and demonstrable experience of using Excel spreadsheets at an advanced stage
  
• Substantial experience of producing computerised payroll-related management information reports
  
• A detailed knowledge of payroll systems, taxation and national insurance rules
  
• Ability to work to and meet multiple and tight deadlines
  

Desirable

• Working knowledge of ADP iHCM and Workday
  
• Experience in pension scheme and other benefits administration
  
• Experience in a Media or digital environment
  

What's in it for you? Our Benefits

Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here .

Further Information

The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We also promote flexible working and will consider specific requests around flexibility for all roles where it can be accommodated. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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