Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Salary: £42,000 - £45,000 per annum

Location: Remote with 1-2 days per month in either Derby or Leicester

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Payroll & Benefits Specialist to take ownership of payroll operations and employee benefits administration within a growing organisation.

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines end-to-end payroll processing with benefits administration, company car fleet management, expenses oversight and systems governance. Working closely with HR, Finance and external providers, you will play a key role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with all relevant legislation and company policies.

This position offers a predominantly remote working arrangement, with attendance required in either the Derby or Leicester office just 1-2 days per month.

Key Responsibilities
Payroll

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll process, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Process payroll using IRIS Payroll and associated systems.
• Administer starters, leavers, promotions, salary increases and contractual changes.
• Process SSP, SMP, SPP and other statutory payments.
• Ensure accurate PAYE, National Insurance, pension and statutory deductions.
• Complete HMRC submissions and associated payroll reporting requirements.
• Reconcile payroll data and resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare payroll journals and support month-end and year-end processes.
• Support annual payroll activities including P60s, P11Ds, Class 1A NICs and PSA reporting.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll-related queries.
• Produce payroll reporting and management information.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits including private medical insurance, pension schemes, life assurance, income protection and salary sacrifice arrangements.
• Maintain accurate benefit records and payroll deductions.
• Manage Benefit-in-Kind calculations and reporting.
• Liaise with providers, brokers and internal stakeholders.
• Support annual renewals, audits and benefits reporting requirements.

Company Car & Fleet Management

• Manage company vehicle fleet administration and records.
• Coordinate vehicle allocations, renewals, replacements and disposals.
• Maintain fleet compliance documentation, including insurance, MOTs and servicing schedules.
• Administer company car Benefit-in-Kind reporting.
• Monitor fuel card administration and vehicle cost reporting.

Expenses Administration

• Review and process employee expense claims.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and HMRC regulations.
• Reconcile expenses against payroll and finance records.
• Resolve employee expense queries and support periodic audits.

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain payroll system integrity and data accuracy.
• Support system upgrades, testing and process improvements.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and documentation.
• Drive efficiencies, automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure GDPR compliance and secure handling of employee information.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Extensive end-to-end UK payroll experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and statutory payments.
• Experience using IRIS Payroll and HR systems.
• Experience administering employee benefits and Benefit-in-Kind reporting.
• Experience managing company car schemes and fleet administration.
• Strong reconciliation and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational abilities.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working closely with HR, Finance and external providers.
• CIPP qualification preferred, although qualified-by-experience candidates will also be considered.

Benefits

• Salary of £42,000 - £45,000
• Predominantly remote working
• 1-2 office visits per month in Derby or Leicester
• Broad and varied role with genuine ownership
• Opportunity to work closely with HR and Finance teams
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

If you're an experienced payroll professional looking for a broad Payroll & Benefits position with excellent flexibility and responsibility, we'd love to hear from you.