Payroll Operations Specialist

Job Description for Payroll Operations Specialist

Position Title: Payroll Operations Specialist CL - 9

Location: Bengaluru

Employment Type: Full Time

Must have skills : Payroll Processing

Good to have skills : UKI Payroll

Experience: Minimum 10 year(s) of experience is required

Educational Qualification: B.com

Role Overview

The Payroll Operations Specialist (CL‑9) is responsible for end‑to‑end payroll ownership for the assigned country, supported by payroll team members. This role involves managing payroll delivery, ensuring statutory and contractual compliance, driving operational excellence, leading payroll controls, and managing both people and client stakeholders.

The role demands deep payroll expertise, strong people‑management capability, and the ability to operate in a people‑facing, metrics‑driven environment, while consistently delivering high accuracy, compliance, and employee satisfaction.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Own overall payroll operations for the assigned country (UK / Ireland), supported by payroll team members.
• Ensure timely and accurate end‑to‑end payroll processing in line with statutory and contractual requirements.
• Lead statutory activities including P60, P45, P11D, and support interactions with tax authorities.
• Own and execute the payroll controls framework, ensuring consistent execution and documentation.
• Execute, monitor, and strengthen payroll controls, including:
  • Month‑on‑month payroll reconciliations and variance analysis
  • Zero or negative net pay analysis and resolution
  • Duplicate payment checks
  • Input vs. output validation controls
• Ensure payroll accuracy through regular audits, checks, and reviews, and drive corrective actions.
• Identify payroll risks, compliance gaps, and control failures; define and implement risk‑mitigation plans.
• Ensure continuous audit readiness and lead responses to internal and external audits.
• Drive compliance with data privacy, confidentiality, and security standards.
• Manage day‑to‑day payroll escalations, L3/L4 employee queries, and stakeholder concerns.
• Lead and mentor payroll team members; review outputs and provide guidance and feedback.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and vendors to ensure seamless payroll delivery.
• Drive process improvements, standardization, and automation initiatives within payroll operations.
• Analyze payroll errors, trends, and exceptions to reduce recurrence and improve quality.
• Track and report payroll KPIs, SLAs, accuracy metrics, and productivity indicators.
• Contribute to payroll transitions, stabilizations, and service enhancements, including leadership reporting.

Skills & Competencies

Technical / Functional Skills

• Strong expertise in Payroll Processing, preferably UK & Ireland payrolls.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements (P60, P45, P11D).
• Proven experience in payroll controls, audits, and risk management.
• Own and execute the payroll controls framework, ensuring consistency and documentation.
• Identify payroll risks and compliance gaps; define and implement mitigation actions.
• Ensure continuous audit readiness and manage internal and external audit responses.
• Drive compliance with data privacy, confidentiality, and security standards.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, MS Office, and payroll systems.
• Strong analytical skills with sound decision‑making capability

People & Leadership Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience managing payroll teams and stakeholders.
• Acts as Team Lead, providing day‑to‑day operational guidance and oversight.
• Plans work allocation, tracks progress and ensures timely payroll delivery.
• Reviews team outputs to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance before sign‑off.
• Coaches, mentors, and upskills team members on payroll processes, controls, and statutory requirements.
• Serves as the first point of escalation for L3/L4 payroll queries and employee issues.
• Strong stakeholder and client management skills with effective communication in English.
• Demonstrates high ownership mindset and sound decision‑making under pressure.
• Effectively manages multiple priorities in high‑volume, deadline‑critical environments.
• Strong conflict‑resolution and escalation‑management capability with a collaborative leadership style.
• Act as the first point of escalation for L3/L4 payroll queries and employee issues.

Additional Information

• Experience with payroll processing for relevant countries is required.
• High level of comfort working in compliance‑heavy and audit‑driven environments.

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