Payroll Officer

Sheridan Maine is supporting our Bournemouth-based client in recruiting a Payroll Officer to take full ownership of a monthly payroll cycle and play a key role within a busy HR function. This is a permanent opportunity offering real autonomy, close collaboration with Finance, and the chance to help shape and improve end-to-end payroll processes. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering a complete, accurate, and fully reconciled monthly payroll for approximately 150 employees. Alongside payroll ownership, you will also support broader HR activities as capacity allows, acting as a key link between HR and Finance and providing day-to-day support to employees. Hybrid (Dorset / South Coast Based, occasional office attendance in Bournemouth) Key Responsibilities • Take responsibility for the end-to-end monthly payroll process • Validate, process, and review all payroll inputs ensuring accuracy and completeness • Maintain a clear audit trail for all payroll activity and adjustments • Reconcile payroll outputs against the general ledger, HMRC submissions, and pension provider data • Investigate variances and provide clear explanations for all discrepancies • Month-End Reporting & Analysis • Produce a comprehensive monthly payroll pack for Finance review • Process salaries, overtime, bonuses, statutory payments, and adjustments • Manage HMRC submissions and ensure PAYE/NIC compliance • Oversee pension submissions and reconciliations in line with regulations • Act as the main contact for payroll-related queries across the business • Partner closely with Finance and HR to ensure data integrity and alignment • Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and reduce manual work • Support HR administration including contract letters and HR system updates (as capacity allows) • Assist with employee relations casework and general HR queries Skills & Experience • 2–3 years’ experience in end-to-end payroll within a medium-sized organisation (100+ employees preferred) • Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation including PAYE, NIC, pensions, and statutory payments • Experience producing payroll reconciliations and reporting packs • Exposure to HR or People team environments and awareness of HR processes • Strong IT & Excel skills for reporting and analysis • Organised and reliable, able to work to strict monthly deadlines • Professional, discreet, and comfortable handling sensitive data • Strong communicator with a pragmatic, problem-solving approach You are required to be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction. Due to the high volume of applications we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within five days, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful.