Job description
1. Title: Payroll and Employee Benefits Manager - Belfast
2. Summary Box
3. Location: Belfast
* Hours: 37 per week
* Pay Rate / Salary: £ per hour
* Contract Type: Temporary (ongoing)
4. About the Role
The Payroll and Employee Benefits Manager will lead a small team responsible for delivering an efficient monthly payroll service for over 3,000 employees. The role includes managing payroll operations, overseeing travel claims and agency payments, and ensuring compliance with HMRC and organisational requirements. The Payroll and Employee Benefits Manager will contribute to system development, process improvement, and the accurate delivery of all employee payment and benefits functions.
5. Key Responsibilities
6. Manage the day-to-day operation of the Payroll section.
* Ensure staff are fully trained across all payroll tasks.
* Oversee payroll account reconciliations within the General Ledger.
* Ensure statutory and non-statutory deductions are accurate and paid on time.
* Work with HR to ensure accurate new start and leaver processes.
* Support system development and enhancement for payroll and expenses.
* Complete payroll returns to HMRC, NILGOSC and relevant bodies.
* Maintain accurate records for authorisation, accountability and probity.
* Ensure compliance with HMRC requirements including PSA, P11D and salary sacrifice.
* Oversee travel claim processing and ensure compliance with policy and taxation.
* Manage timely and accurate payments to staffing agencies.
* Provide year-end information to Financial Accounting.
* Resolve staff queries promptly and professionally.
* Identify and implement business improvements.
* Ensure all procedures are documented.
* Develop KPIs and reporting for the section.
* Represent the Finance division as required.
* Deputise for Payments/Income Managers when necessary.
* Maintain systems aligned with legislation, accounting standards and policy.
* Manage staff performance, training and development.
* Produce regular and ad hoc reports.
* Maintain risk, business continuity and system security documentation.
* Undertake other duties as assigned.
7. Essential Criteria
8. Recognised UK payroll qualification (CIPP), relevant degree, or equivalent;
OR
minimum of five years' experience managing a Payroll function.
* Minimum of three years managing a Payroll function (if qualified).
* Excellent technical payroll skills including PAYE, NI, statutory payments and legislation.
* Sound bookkeeping skills and knowledge of accounting techniques.
* Experience using computerised payroll systems and MS Office (especially Excel).
* Experience with PSA, P11D, salary sacrifice and HMRC expenses rules.
* Strong interpersonal skills and experience working within a structured team.