KAEFER UK and Ireland
Count on us.
Job title: People and Payroll Systems Lead
Location: Head Office, Newcastle Quayside
Contract type: Full time, Permanent
At KAEFER, our success is built on our values and culture, which create a supportive and inclusive environment where employees can thrive. We prioritise growth and development, with abundant opportunities for advancement and a commitment to promoting from within. Our wide range of job openings, including entry-level positions, allows for the first steps on the ladder to success. We provide ongoing training and development opportunities to support our employees throughout their careers.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a People and Payroll Systems Lead to join our People and Development team on a permanent basis. This role exists to own, embed, and evolve KAEFER’s People and Payroll technology suite, with SAP SuccessFactors (Employee Central) at its core. This isn’t a traditional HR systems administrator position, it’s a hands-on specialist and change agent role, accountable for shaping systems that are resilient, compliant, data led and genuinely improve colleague experience.
You will act as the trusted inhouse authority on People Systems and you will influence how People services are delivered by designing solutions that reduce manual effort, increase self-service, and strengthen data integrity.
How you will make an impact:
Own & Shape People & Payroll Systems
* Act as the in-house specialist and product owner for SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central inc. Recruitment, Onboarding, Time Management and Doc Storage Modules.
* Configure, maintain, and enhance system functionality to meet operational, statutory, and strategic needs.
* Work with our vendors, manage Payroll configuration including pay components, rules, schemas, permissions, workflows, and integrations.
* Design solutions that improve colleague and manager experience through intuitive, digital first self-service.
* Maintain clear, accurate system documentation, configuration records, and user guidance.
Be the Guardian of Data Integrity & Governance
* Ensure SuccessFactors remains the single source of truth for People & Payroll data.
* Embed strong data governance, GDPR compliance, role-based access controls, and auditability.
* Build and maintain controls that protect data quality across employee lifecycle events.
* Partner closely with Payroll and Finance to ensure payroll outputs reconcile accurately with financial reporting.
* Proactively identify and address data risks before they become operational or compliance issues.
Enable Colleagues, Managers, and Teams
* Enable colleagues and managers to confidently use People & Payroll self-service through clear processes, guidance, and training.
* Act as a knowledgeable and pragmatic point of escalation for system related issues.
* Translate business needs into system solutions, not workarounds.
* Simplify workflows and reduce dependency on manual intervention wherever possible.
Drive Continuous Improvement & Automation
* Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and standardise People & Payroll processes.
* Challenge inefficient or legacy practices and replace them with scalable, digital solutions.
* Working with our in-house MS developer, explore and apply complementary tools (e.g. Power Apps, Power Automate, reporting and ticketing platforms) where they improve service delivery.
* Ensure all changes are appropriately tested, documented, and communicated.
* Through networking and your own curiosity, stay current on emerging HR, Payroll, automation, and AI trends that could add value.
Build Strong Internal & Vendor Partnerships
* Work collaboratively across People & Development, Payroll, Finance, IT, and Legal.
* Act as the intelligent client with Zalaris, managing tickets, enhancements, and service performance.
* Absorb and retain critical system and payroll configuration knowledge inhouse.
* Monitor vendor performance through SLAs and KPIs, driving improvements where required.
What you will bring:
Essential
* Hands-on experience with enterprise HR systems, ideally SAP SuccessFactors (Employee Central).
* Experience working within a SaaS payroll model underpinned by SAP ECC, delivered via a third-party provider.
* Proven experience partnering with external vendors in managed service or implementation environments.
* Strong understanding of data integrity, controls, and compliance within HR and Payroll systems.
* Confidence translating business requirements into practical, scalable system solutions.
Desirable
* Experience in complex, multisite or project-based organisations
* Previous exposure to automation tools (e.g. Power Platform)
* Experience supporting transformation or largescale system change
This role will suit someone who:
* Takes ownership and accountability naturally
* Is curious and asks “why” before jumping to solutions
* Enjoys improving services, not just maintaining systems
* Is comfortable balancing pace, risk, and pragmatism
* Uses emotional intelligence to influence without authority and work across disciplines
* Builds and maintains key relationships internally and externally and appreciates ‘the bigger picture’
* Thrives in environments where not everything is fully defined and can work comfortably with change
* Has a collaborative, curious, and accountable mindset, with the confidence to challenge constructively and work across teams
Why KAEFER?
Our mission is clear: to be the most reliable and efficient provider of technical industrial services.
KAEFER UK & Ireland provides a large and growing range of industries with asset integrity services including access solutions, insulation, surface protection, HVAC fabrication, E, C&I and more. We focus on improving energy efficiency and extending asset life cycles.
The company has twelve operating centres across the UK and Ireland, employing approximately 3,500 highly skilled and experienced people. Our people are our lifeforce and every day they deliver excellence to our customers.
KAEFER UK & Ireland is part of the KAEFER Group, a global €2.4 billion business with its headquarters in Bremen, Germany. KAEFER works on more than 5,500 contracts internationally, with around 33,000 employees. With unrivalled experience and expertise, our teams provide trusted partnerships and tailored support to execute even the most challenging and complex projects for clients.
We take pride in being part of a global company with common values and many diverse and individual voices. We make positive contributions in the communities where we live and work - after all when it counts, count on us!
Our Values unite us as a team, they serve as the foundation of everything we do. They define who we are, guide our actions, and inspire us to be our best every day – they are Ambition, Team Spirit, Respect and Reliability.
Salary and benefits
The salary for this role is competitive and comes with the following benefits:
Financial benefits
* Competitive salary reviewed annually
* Pension based on minimum of 5% from employee, 7.5% from KAEFER
* Discretionary, non-contractual, company bonus scheme (annual)
* Long term service reward
* Life cover (x3 annual salary)
* Company Discount Scheme (Pluxee)
Work life balance
* 33 days annual leave per year (inclusive of bank holidays) based on full time contract
* Option to purchase an additional 5 days annual leave per year
Health, Happiness and Family
* BUPA healthcare assessment, after 2 years’ service and every 3 years thereafter
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Line with access to external counsellor
* Company funded eye tests (VDU and safety glasses)
* Enhanced family friendly policies
* Company paid sick leave following probationary period
Learning & Development
* Support to build your professional development plan to grow and evolve with us
* Payment towards annual professional fees and CPD relevant to roles
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and a team that reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences, where all individuals are valued and have the opportunity to thrive. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
If you’d like to discuss our recruitment process further, or need support during the application stage, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Unsolicited CVs sent by recruitment agencies will be considered the property of KAEFER UK and Ireland and no fee will be payable.