Payroll Team Lead

About the Role

Join Cygnet as a Payroll Team Lead based in Kings Hill, West Malling. This full-time position involves working 37.5 hours weekly with a hybrid schedule — two days in the office and the rest remote. As the payroll system is complex due to numerous acquisitions, this role handles various payroll and pension functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and support the entire payroll process, including direct hands-on payroll processing when necessary.
• Perform scheduled manual backups of payroll systems, adhering to agreed timelines.
• Review payroll main runs for accuracy and conduct first-line quality checks.
• Manage system-wide payroll calculations, employee transfers across payroll companies, and payroll number assignments for rehires, ensuring date-specific accuracy.
• Detect and escalate any payroll overpayments or underpayments to the Payroll Manager with documented evidence.
• Assist with HMRC-related communications, including tax code downloads and submissions of FPS and EPS forms.
• Help close payroll cycles and generate related reports.
• Support the payroll manager in resolving escalated or pending requests in the payroll portal.

Team and Personnel Management

• Coach and mentor payroll team members focusing on training and ongoing professional growth.
• Identify and flag performance issues or developmental needs to management.
• Recognize and report staff exceeding expectations; provide positive reinforcement appropriately.
• Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings with team members.
• Provide coverage during team member absences or critical processing periods.
• Stay informed on payroll legislation updates to ensure compliance.

Communication

• Maintain strong relations with on-site teams to guarantee timely and accurate information exchange.
• Monitor the payroll portal to address requests within defined service levels.
• Operate the Amazon Connect telephone system professionally to log stakeholder requests efficiently.
• Manage central payroll email correspondence to ensure completion and response.

Strategic Duties

• Collaborate with the Payroll Team Manager to maintain payroll calendars, plan resources, and monitor payroll cycles.
• Evaluate payroll controls, propose improvements, and identify risks.
• Work with senior staff across the company to manage expectations, communicate effectively, and resolve issues.
• Support new system/process rollouts and train team members accordingly.
• Conduct monthly reconciliations of control accounts.

Benefits and Perks

• Annual salary of £34,000.
• Strong opportunities for career advancement into management roles.
• Monthly reflective practice sessions and support for continuing professional development (CPD).
• Access to expert supervision and peer support networks.
• Company pension scheme.
• Cycle to Work scheme and employee discounts on shopping, travel, and leisure activities.
• Healthcare and financial benefits designed to enhance wellbeing both inside and outside the workplace.

Additional Information

If you have a passion for making a positive impact and are eager to grow professionally within a supportive culture, consider applying for this position with Cygnet today.