Payroll Operations and Transition Specialist

Payroll Operations & Transitions Specialist

Salary: £36,000 - £42,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Location: Remote (UK) with occasional travel as required

Reporting to: Payroll Operations & Transitions Manager

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Operations & Transitions Specialist to join our growing EMS Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Payroll team.

This role combines payroll processing responsibilities with the opportunity to support the onboarding and transition of new clients into our payroll service. Working closely with the Payroll Operations & Transitions Manager, you will play an important role in helping new clients move into our payroll operation while ensuring existing payroll services continue to be delivered accurately and in line with legislation.

You will work with clients and internal teams to support payroll setup activities, payroll validation, testing, knowledge transfer, and activities leading up to the first live payroll run. You will also support day-to-day payroll operations, helping to deliver excellent service and a positive client experience.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional looking to broaden their payroll knowledge while gaining exposure to client onboarding, payroll transitions, and payroll testing activities.

What You'll Be Doing

Payroll Operations

• Process end-to-end payroll activities for assigned clients.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately and in compliance with payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Reconcile payroll data and investigate payroll discrepancies.
• Respond to employee and client payroll queries, escalating complex issues where required.
• Maintain payroll calendars, task schedules, and client payroll documentation.
• Create and maintain client-specific Statements of Procedure (SoPs).
• Support payroll reporting activities, including RTI submissions and year-end processing requirements.
• Support the BAU payroll team during periods of increased workload where required.

Client Onboarding & Transitions

• Support the onboarding and transition of new clients into the EMS payroll service.
• Assist with payroll process reviews, payroll setup activities, payroll validation, and knowledge transfer.
• Coordinate onboarding activities and ensure agreed actions are completed within required timescales.
• Work with Payroll, AMS, IT, clients, and third-party providers throughout onboarding activities.
• Support activities leading up to the first live payroll run and provide post-go-live support where required.
• Ensure onboarding documentation, client approvals, and handover activities are completed before clients move into BAU payroll operations.
• Escalate risks, issues, and delays to the Payroll Operations & Transitions Manager where appropriate.

Payroll Testing & Validation

• Support payroll testing activities for client onboarding and payroll changes.
• Assist with payroll validations, reconciliations, payroll comparisons, and parallel payroll runs.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and investigate any issues identified during testing.
• Work closely with the Payroll Operations & Testing team to help ensure payroll changes are ready for release into the live environment.

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure payroll activities comply with legal, regulatory, client, and company requirements.
• Support Business Continuity Planning (BCP) activities and contingency arrangements.
• Maintain accurate payroll and onboarding documentation in line with audit requirements.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, data protection requirements, and company information security policies.
• Keep up to date with UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll, onboarding, and client handover processes.
• Support the development of standard templates, documentation, and working practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned reviews.
• Work with payroll colleagues to improve efficiency, consistency, and service quality.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• At least 5 years' experience in UK payroll, including end-to-end payroll processing.
• Experience supporting payroll transitions, client onboarding activities, payroll implementations, or payroll change projects.
• At least 3 years experience of SAP Payroll and/or SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll (ECP).
• In-depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, NIC, RTI, statutory payments, and Pension Auto Enrolment.
• Experience supporting payroll testing activities, including UAT, payroll validation, reconciliations, and parallel or comparison payroll runs.
• Strong Excel capability and experience working with payroll systems.
• Good understanding of GDPR and payroll data confidentiality requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively to deadlines.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients and internal teams.

Desirable

• CIPP qualification or working towards a recognised payroll qualification.
• Experience within a payroll BPO or managed payroll environment.
• Knowledge of ROI and wider EMEA payrolls.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations, payroll upgrades, or client onboarding activities.
• Experience working within ISO-certified environments.

Why Join EMS?

• Remote working environment with flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunity to work with a diverse portfolio of payroll clients.
• Exposure to both payroll operations and client onboarding activities.
• Collaborative and supportive team culture.
• Opportunities to develop payroll, testing, and transition experience.
• A varied role combining payroll delivery, client support, and onboarding activities.