Payroll SME

As the UK’s largest water company, we are taking action for a new world of water - fixing the problems of today, and building resilience for tomorrow.

This role is responsible for providing expert-level knowledge and guidance on all aspects of payroll processing, compliance, and systems. The Payroll SME will ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery, support process optimisation, and act as a key resource for complex payroll-related queries and projects.

What you’ll be doing as a Payroll SME

• Completing the in house monthly internal payroll activities, adhering to internal and external compliance and controls.
• Working with the wider payroll team to ensure accurate end-to-end payroll processing for employees.
• Responsible for the set-up and payment of Advisors' and Consultants' fees, along with their expenses. Ensuring both are paid correctly, in time and with the relevant approvals.
• Provide training to the Payroll HR Coordinators on payroll processes and the wider People Services Team when processes are created or changed.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to complete a change impact assessment prior to making improvements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required payroll data and documentation and answering queries.
• Prioritising and completing incoming work, handling highly confidential information with integrity.
• Ensuring policies and processes are up to date and working with Pay and Benefits Manager to ensure changes affecting payroll are enacted, communicated to the wider team and associated documentation updated.

Base location – Hybrid - Clear Water Court, Reading

Working pattern – Monday to Friday, 36 hours

What you should bring to the role

Essential

• Extensive experience in payroll team
• Experience in using payroll systems
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy

Desirable

• Certificate in Payroll Practice
• Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) or equivalent professional qualification or HR knowledge.
• BA in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources
• Experience of Success Factors

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary of up to £40,000 per annum depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values
 
Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.