Average Payroll Analyst salary in London

As part of a team of five within the Payroll & Benefits function, this role supports the delivery of accurate and compliant UK payrolls for around 2,000 employees across 61 hotels and the UK Head Office. The role focuses on payroll analysis, compliance, audit, data integrity and process improvement, ensuring payroll operations remain accurate, efficient and aligned with statutory requirements. The successful candidate will act as a technical lead within the team, driving continuous improvement in payroll controls, reporting and systems.RESPONSIBILITIESSupport accurate monthly payroll processing, ensuring robust checks, controls and data validation are in place.Act as a payroll subject-matter expert, resolving complex payroll, pension and benefits queries and providing guidance to HR and hotel managers.Work closely with HR and hotel managers to maintain accurate employee data.Lead payroll audit, compliance and reconciliation activities, ensuring strong internal controls, risk management and data governance.Keep up to date with payroll, pensions and benefits legislation, ensuring processes remain compliant with regulatory changes (e.g. holiday pay, tipping legislation).Review payroll processes and lead the development of payroll policies, documentation and training materials.Support payroll system utilisation and improvements, including reviewing HRIS–Payroll data flows, validating data accuracy and supporting system enhancements.Respond to regular and ad-hoc reporting requests from Finance, HR, Operations and other departments (e.g. data required for CSRD and other corporate reporting).Contribute to payroll-related projects, system upgrades, process improvements and the development of reporting and integration frameworks across the business.Collaborate with Finance on payroll-related reconciliations, journals and month-end requirements.Work with external partners and providers to ensure accurate, compliant and efficient payroll, pension and benefits processes.Support pension and benefits compliance, including auto-enrolment, contribution accuracy and correct payroll treatment of benefits and benefits-in-kind.Support in the preparation of statutory reports (P11D, P60, Gender Pay Gap etc).Support statutory year-end activities and liaise with HMRC, The Pensions Regulator and other statutory bodies as required.Support internal and external audit requests, preparing documentation and ensuring timely responses.TRAINING: Ideally holds a CIPP Certificate or Diploma (or equivalent payroll qualification)REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:5+ years of UK in-house payroll experience, ideally within hospitality or a multi-site environment.Experience working with pensions and employee benefits, including processing benefits-in-kind.Experience in payroll data analysis, reconciliation and maintaining data integrity.Experience preparing payroll data for internal and external reporting, including developing reporting automation.Experience in UK payroll compliance, statutory requirements and audit support.Experience working with Finance, HR and operational stakeholders on payroll data, reporting and reconciliation.ADP iHCM experience strongly preferred.REQUIRED SKILLS:Excellent time management and ability to meet strict deadlines in a busy environment.Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, advanced formulas; macros desirable).High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise effectivelyStrong problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate and resolve payroll data issuesSolid understanding of UK payroll legislation, including pensions and benefits-in-kind. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-function stakeholdersFluent written and verbal English with the ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly and confidently

As part of a team of five within the Payroll & Benefits function, this role supports the delivery of accurate and compliant UK payrolls for around 2,000 employees across 61 hotels and the UK Head Office. The role focuses on payroll analysis, compliance, audit, data integrity and process improvement, ensuring payroll operations remain accurate, efficient and aligned with statutory requirements. The successful candidate will act as a technical lead within the team, driving continuous improvement in payroll controls, reporting and systems.RESPONSIBILITIESSupport accurate monthly payroll processing, ensuring robust checks, controls and data validation are in place.Act as a payroll subject-matter expert, resolving complex payroll, pension and benefits queries and providing guidance to HR and hotel managers.Work closely with HR and hotel managers to maintain accurate employee data.Lead payroll audit, compliance and reconciliation activities, ensuring strong internal controls, risk management and data governance.Keep up to date with payroll, pensions and benefits legislation, ensuring processes remain compliant with regulatory changes (e.g. holiday pay, tipping legislation).Review payroll processes and lead the development of payroll policies, documentation and training materials.Support payroll system utilisation and improvements, including reviewing HRIS–Payroll data flows, validating data accuracy and supporting system enhancements.Respond to regular and ad-hoc reporting requests from Finance, HR, Operations and other departments (e.g. data required for CSRD and other corporate reporting).Contribute to payroll-related projects, system upgrades, process improvements and the development of reporting and integration frameworks across the business.Collaborate with Finance on payroll-related reconciliations, journals and month-end requirements.Work with external partners and providers to ensure accurate, compliant and efficient payroll, pension and benefits processes.Support pension and benefits compliance, including auto-enrolment, contribution accuracy and correct payroll treatment of benefits and benefits-in-kind.Support in the preparation of statutory reports (P11D, P60, Gender Pay Gap etc).Support statutory year-end activities and liaise with HMRC, The Pensions Regulator and other statutory bodies as required.Support internal and external audit requests, preparing documentation and ensuring timely responses.TRAINING: Ideally holds a CIPP Certificate or Diploma (or equivalent payroll qualification)REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:5+ years of UK in-house payroll experience, ideally within hospitality or a multi-site environment.Experience working with pensions and employee benefits, including processing benefits-in-kind.Experience in payroll data analysis, reconciliation and maintaining data integrity.Experience preparing payroll data for internal and external reporting, including developing reporting automation.Experience in UK payroll compliance, statutory requirements and audit support.Experience working with Finance, HR and operational stakeholders on payroll data, reporting and reconciliation.ADP iHCM experience strongly preferred.REQUIRED SKILLS:Excellent time management and ability to meet strict deadlines in a busy environment.Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups, advanced formulas; macros desirable).High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise effectivelyStrong problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate and resolve payroll data issuesSolid understanding of UK payroll legislation, including pensions and benefits-in-kind. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-function stakeholdersFluent written and verbal English with the ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly and confidently

Payroll Analyst - London Seeking a Payroll Analyst role available on an initial 3-month contract with the view of the position going temporary to permanent for the right candidate. Deliver accurate and timely UK monthly payroll, including statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP), PAYE, NI, student loans, and auto-enrolment pensions, in compliance with HMRC regulations.Manage payroll lifecycle activities (new starters, leavers, salary changes, adjustments) and complete year-end processes (P60, P11D, P11D(b)).Administer UK and expatriate payrolls (inbound and outbound), including coordination and validation of shadow payrolls in line with assignment policies.Partner with Global Mobility, HR, Finance, and the Strada payroll provider to ensure accurate delivery of expatriate pay.Ensure correct processing of allowances, benefits, benefits-in-kind, pensions, and salary sacrifice schemes, including taxable and non-taxable elements.Maintain compliance with UK tax, social security, payroll regulations, and data protection (UK GDPR).Prepare payroll reports, perform payroll validations and reconciliations, and support internal and external audits through documentation and query resolution.Act as a payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance to UK and expatriate employees on pay slips, deductions, and pay components.Support onboarding and offboarding, maintain accurate payroll and HR data, and assist with payroll system testing, upgrades, and implementations. To be considered for the role, candidates must be available to start the role immediately. We are happy to provide application and/or accessibility support, please contact your Marks Sattin or Grafton consultant directly to discuss your needs. We're committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients, please visit https://privacy and https://en/privacy-policy-1 for our privacy policy.