Senior Payroll Officer

Senior Payroll Officer

Location: Guildford

Hybrid - Temporary up to 3 months 

Pay: £290 a day 

If you’re an experienced payroll professional who thrives on accuracy, problem‑solving and improving how things work, this could be your next step. We’re looking for a Senior Payroll Officer to play a central role in delivering a seamless payroll and benefits service for colleagues at a local council. 

You’ll lead monthly payroll processing, guide colleagues, strengthen our controls, and help shape a consistent, modern payroll service across both organisations. It’s a role for someone who enjoys variety, ownership and collaboration.

In this role, you will:
•     Lead the full monthly payroll cycle using iTrent and Business World.
•     Ensure all changes—new starters, leavers, pay updates, overtime and deductions are processed accurately and on time.
•     Manage statutory processes including PAYE, NI, auto‑enrolment, statutory payments and court orders.
•     Maintain high‑quality payroll data and support year‑end activity (P60s, P11Ds).
•     Lead on audit preparation and ensure processes are well documented.
•     Support LGPS administration, annual returns and liaison with pension providers.
•     Oversee employee benefits, ensuring deductions, contracts and intranet information are up to date.
•     Carry out second‑line checks, resolve discrepancies and help reduce recurring issues.
•     Provide clear, supportive responses to complex payroll queries.
•     Contribute to process improvements, policy development and training for colleagues.
What you’ll bring
•     Strong payroll experience, ideally within a complex or multi‑site environment.
•     A solid understanding of payroll legislation, pensions and statutory requirements.
•     Confidence using HR/Payroll systems and supporting system changes or UAT.
•     A collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering a great service.