Robert Half is supporting a higher education client during an Oracle Fusion implementation and requires a Payroll SME to join them for the next 6 months.
This role will primarily focus on BAU payroll processing, enabling the current incumbent to concentrate fully on the Oracle Fusion implementation. You will operate in a complex, multi-payroll environment, supporting a large and diverse workforce including academic staff, professional services, researchers, hourly-paid staff, and contractors.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Lead end-to-end BAU payroll processing across a complex higher education environment
2. Ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery, including statutory deductions, pensions, benefits, and reporting
3. Manage complex payroll scenarios including multiple contracts, variable pay, term-time working, hourly-paid staff, overtime, and allowances
4. Work closely with HR, Finance, and Systems teams to resolve payroll queries, reconciliations, and data issues
5. Support parallel running, data validation, and testing activities where required during the Oracle Fusion implementation
6. Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, employment legislation, and university-specific policies
7. Provide expert-level support for process improvement, controls, and documentation
Required Experience:
8. 10+ years' experience as a Payroll SME within large, complex organisations
9. Strong Oracle payroll experience (Fusion highly desirable)
10. Recent experience within higher education or similarly complex public-sector environments
11. Proven background managing high-volume, multi-contract payrolls
12. Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, pensions, statutory payments, and compliance
13. Confident stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work across HR, Finance, IT, and third-party suppliers
Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training.