Payroll & Benefits Manager | Financial Services
City | Hybrid 4 days office based
£45,000 - £50,000

Meraki Talent is working with a financial services firm to recruit a Payroll & Benefits Manager to take ownership of the UK payroll function, while providing broader payroll and benefits support across the EMEA region.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong UK payroll expertise who enjoys working across multiple jurisdictions, partnering with internal stakeholders and external providers, and ensuring accurate, compliant and efficient payroll and benefits processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the end-to-end UK payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely monthly payroll delivery.
• Manage relationships with external payroll providers, ensuring service standards, accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, statutory deductions, pensions and HMRC submissions.
• Act as the key point of contact for payroll-related queries, providing guidance to employees, HR and Finance stakeholders.
• Support payroll and benefits administration across the wider EMEA region, liaising with local providers and regional teams.
• Ensure payroll processes comply with relevant UK legislation and support adherence to local regulatory requirements across EMEA.
• Manage employee benefits administration, including pensions, healthcare, life assurance and other benefits programmes.
• Support annual salary reviews, bonus payments, benefits renewals and other key compensation cycles.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, systems, controls and reporting.
• Work closely with HR, Finance and other internal stakeholders to maintain accurate employee data and ensure effective payroll operations.

Person Specification

• Proven experience managing UK payroll, ideally within financial services or a similarly complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, pensions and statutory deductions.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers and managing external stakeholder relationships.
• Exposure to EMEA payrolls or supporting payroll across multiple international jurisdictions.
• Experience administering employee benefits and working with benefits providers.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage sensitive information confidentially.
• Confident communicating with stakeholders across HR, Finance and the wider business.
• A proactive approach to improving processes and ensuring strong controls and compliance.