Payroll Specialist

Organizational Overview

Respond stands among Ireland's primary housing associations, dedicated to providing social housing and services for the homeless. We strive for a future where every individual and family in Ireland enjoys quality housing within a thriving supportive community. As we expand rapidly in response to the housing crisis, we seek a skilled and passionate Payroll Specialist to join us.

Role Summary

The Payroll Specialist role is based at our Head Office in Waterford and reports directly to the Financial Controller. This permanent full-time position focuses on accurate, timely, and compliant payroll management, maintaining operational resilience and strong coordination across Finance, People & Culture, and operational teams.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee comprehensive payroll processing for both weekly and monthly cycles to ensure staff are paid correctly and promptly.
• Offer operational support and guidance to team members involved in payroll activities within defined reporting structures.
• Ensure all payroll processing adheres to Revenue regulations, employment laws, internal policies, and predetermined timelines.
• Manage payroll calculations for new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, overtime, deductions, statutory payments, pensions, banking, and any necessary payroll amendments.
• Prepare, review, and submit required payroll documentation including year-end reports and statutory returns.
• Validate Revenue Payroll Notifications before processing payroll to ensure compliance.
• Analyze payroll outputs, exception reports, reconciliations, and internal control checks prior to final approval and submission.
• Reconcile payroll control accounts and diligently resolve any discrepancies.
• Generate monthly payroll journals and ensure correct reflection of payroll expenses within the finance system.
• Compile payroll reports to assist management in reporting, budgeting, and financial forecasting.
• Complete CSO quarterly submissions plus any additional mandatory payroll-related regulatory or statutory reports.
• Calculate annual wage increases and facilitate their approved implementation.
• Administer year-end payroll procedures and support the setup of new tax years.
• Assist in payroll budgeting and related financial analyses.
• Provide backup support and expand knowledge relating to pension processing as needed.
• Handle internal and external payroll inquiries professionally, promptly, and confidentially.
• Support audit activities, including preparation of payroll returns, reports, and documentation related to Revenue, CSO, pensions, and internal controls.
• Participate in payroll system development projects and contribute to improvements in payroll data entry processes.
• Help document financial control and departmental process procedures.
• Drive continuous payroll process improvements by identifying reoccurring data issues and collaborating with respective owners to address root causes.
• Maintain standardized payroll input frameworks with validation checks and exception reporting to reduce errors and ensure accurate payroll runs.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and operations to enhance accountability, clarify workflow handoffs, and strengthen processes, controls, and escalation protocols.

Qualifications and Skills

• Payroll certification such as IPASS is preferred but not mandatory.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Experience with payroll software like Micropay or equivalent packages.
• Familiarity with Cezanne or other HR Information Systems.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation and compliance matters.
• High attention to detail combined with excellent numerical abilities.
• Effective communication and organizational skills, maintaining confidentiality and ability to work independently or collaboratively.
• Experience contributing to HR/payroll system integrations, automation, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other structured methodologies for process improvement is advantageous.
• Background in not-for-profit, housing, public service, or regulated sectors is desirable.

Experience Requirements

The successful candidate will have between three and five years of experience managing payroll functions.

Additional Information

Respond embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all cultural, national, gender backgrounds, and those who have faced social exclusion. If this opportunity resonates with you, we invite you to apply.

Administrative Details

Location: Respond Head Office, Airmount, Dominick Place, Waterford, Ireland
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary Range: €41,891 to €54,212 annually
Application Deadline: 24 July 2026