Senior Payroll Specialist

Northeastern University London

Position overview

Location: Devon House, London (opportunity for Hybrid work arrangement)

Benefits: Generous benefits package including 25 days holiday allowance pro rata (excl. Bank holidays), group life assurance, group income protection, pension schemes and private healthcare (optional)

Start: April 2026

The Senior Payroll specialist will work alongside the International Payroll Manager and Senior Business Systems Analyst to deliver the day to day running of payroll at the University. These include Gross to Net calculations for all staff on a monthly basis, compliance with all HMRC and pension requirements, as well as supporting the work required to deliver all necessary regulatory reporting to other external bodies where applicable and to work closely with the Human Resources and Finance department to ensure all contractual changes, additions and deductions to payroll are processed in an accurate and timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Although the list is not exhaustive the Senior Payroll specialist will be expected to:

• Delivering Full cycle end to end payroll processing for our London Campus, including RTI submissions and Year End tasks, ensuring all activities are completed within a timely manner.
• Overseeing Auto-Enrolment processes and submitting pension data to our external vendor
• Performing audits and reconciliations to maintain the accuracy and integrity of payroll information
• Assisting with internal and external audit preparation, including organising documentation and supporting evidence requests
• Producing payroll reports for internal stakeholders
• Supporting employees by resolving payroll queries and identifying underlying issues
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure payroll processes are robust and meet finance and compliance standards.
• Assisting with payroll related implementation projects and contributing to continuous process improvement initiatives
• Act as a back-up for Canadian payroll processing

Skills and Knowledge

• Proven experience with strong knowledge of UK Payroll practices and compliance
• Proficient in using payroll systems and maintaining effective controls
• Excellent communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
• Membership of CIPP or working towards achieving CIPP Membership within 6 months of starting the role
• Workday Payroll experience is advantageous
• Canadian payroll experience and/or higher education industry exposure is advantageous

Person specification criteria (essential / desirable)

Education, Qualifications and training

Membership of CIPP or working towards achieving it. E

Experience

Strong payroll skills and previous experience in a similar role. E

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Good written communications and strong interpersonal skills to deal with individuals at various levels, and on potentially sensitive matters. E

Excellent IT skills, including advanced level with Microsoft Office Suite. E

Highly computer literate with experience of accounting packages. E

Ability to work quickly, accurately and to deadlines, using a logical and methodical approach. E

A team player, with the ability to work independently. E

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Yaneera Paskaran (y.paskaran@northeastern.edu). However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application process

Applications should be made via the Workday Requisition (via the 'Apply' button above) by 23:59 on 2 May 2026.

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary. Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role and a full curriculum vitae.