Payroll & HR Integration Specialist (starting at 12-Month Contract)
Location: Leatherhead, UK Company: Zoetis Reports to: Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) - Market Working Pattern: Hybrid (Flexible in-office and remote arrangements)
About Zoetis
Zoetis is a global leader in animal health, dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of animals worldwide. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and improving animal care, Zoetis develops vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic products that help veterinarians and livestock producers deliver optimal outcomes. Joining Zoetis means contributing to a purpose-driven organisation where science, collaboration, and integrity come together to make a difference in animals' lives.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Payroll & HR Integration Specialist to join our Human Resources team on an initial 12-month contract, starting immediately. This role offers a unique opportunity to support a recent acquisition and drive integration activities across Payroll and wider HR operations.
You will have full accountability for UK payroll operations, working closely with a global payroll provider to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing. Alongside payroll, you will contribute to HR functions including benefits administration, employee lifecycle support, recruitment, HR advisory, and reporting.
This is a hands-on, individual contributor role within an agile HR team, offering exposure to multiple projects, systems, and stakeholders. You will help ensure consistent HR policy application, maintain compliance with UK legislation, and support continuous improvement of HR and payroll processes.
Key Responsibilities
1. Payroll Integration & Transformation
Support payroll and HR integration activities following a recent acquisition
Harmonise payroll systems, processes, and data across entities
Align HR policies, procedures, and employee data to ensure organisational consistency
Collaborate with Finance, HR teams, and external payroll providers to ensure seamless payroll delivery
Identify and resolve discrepancies, integration challenges, and process gaps
Support compliance with UK employment law, tax regulations, and internal policies
Participate in payroll and HR system testing, validation, and reporting
Provide guidance to stakeholders throughout the integration lifecycle
Contribute to continuous improvement of payroll and HR operations
2. Payroll Administration
Manage end-to-end payroll processes, including pre- and post-payroll activities
Coordinate with external payroll vendors to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll
Maintain payroll inputs, reconciliations, and reporting
Prepare payroll records for audits, finance, and management review
Ensure timely submission of statutory requirements, including PAYE
Support year-end payroll processes and reporting obligations
Identify process improvements to harmonise payroll practices
3. Benefits Administration
Manage payroll-related benefit deductions and tax implications
Oversee reconciliations, payments, and reporting for benefits and pensions
Administer pensions, company car fleet, allowances, and annual share option plans
Coordinate benefit plan administration, enrolments, and reporting
Liaise with external providers to ensure accuracy and compliance
4. Workforce Administration & HR Operations
Maintain employee data within Workday (HRIS) accurately
Manage HR transactions: onboarding, hiring, transfers, promotions, and exits
Ensure proper documentation and archiving of employee records
Track holidays, sick leave, and absence data accurately
Oversee contingent worker population and ensure Workday data accuracy
Support Works Council processes and HR governance
Contribute to HR system optimisation and knowledge management
5. Recruitment & Onboarding Support
Assist HRBP and hiring managers with recruitment activities
Manage job postings, offers, contracts, and background checks
Support onboarding of new hires and internal/international transfers
Ensure compliance with DE&I principles and UK regulations
6. Employee & Manager Support
Act as point of contact for HR and payroll queries
Resolve employee and manager inquiries efficiently, escalating complex issues as needed
Ensure timely, high-quality resolution and maintain empathy in communications
Contribute to knowledge management and continuous improvement initiatives
7. Additional Responsibilities
Support HR governance, compliance, and change programmes
Assist with employee engagement, cultural initiatives, and special projects
Take ownership of HR and payroll initiatives within the team
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field (preferred)
Proven experience managing payroll operations end-to-end (essential)
Experience in a multinational or global organisation (preferred)
Strong knowledge of HR processes, UK employment law, and payroll legislation
Experience in talent management, recruitment, compensation & benefits, and HR data administration
Pharmaceutical or animal health industry experience advantageous
Experience managing HR or payroll-related projects strongly preferred
Skills & Competencies
Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
Strong communication in multicultural, international environments
High confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical standards
Analytical, detail-oriented, and problem-solving mindset
Ability to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines
Proactive, self-motivated, and results-driven
Strong business acumen and customer service mindset
Independent worker with initiative in a fast-paced environment
Experience with HR systems (Workday preferred)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Why Join Zoetis?
This is a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced, transformational environment, supporting integration projects while gaining exposure across HR and payroll operations. Zoetis offers a collaborative, purpose-driven culture, hybrid working flexibility, and the chance to contribute to meaningful work that improves the health and well-being of animals worldwide.
About Zoetis
At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues' careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.
Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.
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