Payroll Specialist

Are you an experienced payroll professional who enjoys solving complex payroll issues, strengthening controls and improving the way payroll is delivered? Do you have strong UK and EMEA payroll knowledge, with the confidence to act as a technical point of reference across a multi-country environment?

We’re looking for a Payroll Specialist to support payroll activities across Europe and Africa. You will be linked to our Oxford office on a hybrid basis, working as part of a payroll team based across Europe and Africa. You’ll take responsibility for advanced payroll validation, audits, reconciliations and compliance reviews, while working closely with HR, Finance, Legal and external providers. You’ll also help improve controls, documentation and systems, and provide guidance to other members of the payroll team.

What We Offer:

• A Varied Payroll Role: Work across complex payroll scenarios, validation, compliance, controls, reporting and continuous improvement.

• Multi-Country Exposure: Support payroll activity across Europe and Africa, developing your experience in a varied international environment.

• Technical Payroll Expertise: Act as a point of reference for payroll processes and escalations, applying your knowledge to resolve complex issues.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with HR, Finance, Legal and external payroll providers on operational payroll matters, projects and improvement initiatives.

• Opportunity to Improve Processes: Help drive automation, standardisation and stronger payroll controls, documentation and ways of working.

• Project Exposure: Lead or support payroll projects, system upgrades and provider transitions across multiple countries.

• Support and Knowledge Sharing: Provide guidance to Payroll Specialist I colleagues and help build consistency and capability across the team.

Including, but not limited to:

• Perform advanced payroll validation and manage complex payroll scenarios.

• Review and validate new hire, absence, leave and termination data before payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

• Ensure statutory termination documentation is prepared, validated and issued in line with legal and internal requirements.

• Act as a technical reference point for payroll processes, queries and escalations.

• Lead payroll audits, reconciliations and compliance reviews.

• Develop and maintain payroll controls, process documentation and standard operating procedures.

• Monitor payroll KPIs and prepare analytical reports for leadership.

• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal and external providers on payroll matters and strategic initiatives.

• Provide guidance and knowledge support to Payroll Specialist I team members.

• Drive process improvement, automation and standardisation initiatives.

• Lead or support multi-country payroll projects, system upgrades and payroll provider transitions.

• Support change management and the effective adoption of new payroll processes.

• Relevant payroll experience.
• Strong understanding of UK and EMEA payroll legislation, compliance and controls.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving and auditing skills.
• High proficiency in payroll systems, HRIS platforms and Excel or other analytical tools.
• Experience handling complex payroll scenarios, validation, reconciliations and audits.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage sensitive and time-critical information accurately.
• Proficiency in English.
• Knowledge of payroll in additional countries and proficiency in other languages would be an advantage

Our Mission & Culture:

Since 1944, NSF’s mission has been to protect and advance human health. Today, thousands of team members around the world work together to deliver that mission, bringing expertise across science, engineering, environmental and public health disciplines.

Our culture and the wellbeing of our people are central to how we work, serve our clients and grow our business. We are guided by four core values:

Do the Right Thing: We act with honesty, integrity and a commitment to science.

Treat People Well: We create an inclusive workplace where people are treated with respect, dignity and professionalism, and where different perspectives, ideas and expertise are valued.

Relentlessly Pursue Excellence: We are committed to quality, continual improvement and empowering our people to think boldly.

We are One NSF: We collaborate, solve problems and deliver results together, recognising that every team member plays an important role in fulfilling our mission.

Apply now and send us your CV and cover letter. Come join our team, we look forward to hearing from you!
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