North-West based
Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum - dependent on skills and qualifications
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working pattern: Remote / Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
The Role
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Officer to take ownership of the end‑to‑end monthly payroll for a growing UK workforce of around 600 employees across multiple sites, with headcount expected to increase to circa 1,000 employees over time. This is a hands‑on role with full responsibility for payroll accuracy, compliance, and delivery. You’ll work closely with HR and Finance and act as the main point of contact for payroll across the business. As Vella continues to grow, the role offers the opportunity to help shape payroll processes and develop alongside the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Full ownership of monthly payroll processing, including starters, leavers, pay changes, bonuses, deductions, and adjustments
- Liaising with HR to validate payroll inputs such as absences, maternity/paternity, and contractual changes
- Ensuring accurate PAYE, National Insurance, and statutory payment calculations
- Managing workplace pensions, including auto‑enrolment, opt‑ins/outs, contribution uploads, and reconciliations
- Administering salary sacrifice schemes and payroll‑related benefits
- Preparing and submitting HMRC RTI filings (FPS/EPS)
- Managing year‑end payroll processes, including P60s and P11Ds
- Administering all Deduction of Earnings Orders (DEOs) in line with legal requirements
- Reconciling payroll outputs and preparing payroll journals or working closely with Finance
- Acting as the first point of contact for payroll queries across the business
- Identifying and implementing payroll process improvements as the organisation grows
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience delivering end‑to‑end UK payroll in a standalone or lead role
- Experience processing payroll for large employee populations (ideally 400+ employees)
- Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, and statutory payments
- Experience managing pensions, auto‑enrolment, and salary sacrifice schemes
- Confident handling DEOs and complex payroll deductions
- High attention to detail with the ability to work accurately to deadlines
- Strong communication skills and confidence dealing with payroll queries
Desirable
- Experience supporting payroll in a multi‑site or growing organisation
- Payroll system implementation, upgrade, or improvement experience
- CIPP qualification or working towards one
Why Join Vella
- Join a growing organisation where payroll is a valued, business‑critical function
- Take ownership of a large, complex, multi‑site payroll
- Opportunity to improve and shape payroll processes as the business evolves
- Remote / hybrid working with a stable 40‑hour week
- A role with natural development over time, aligned to business growth
What You’ll Get In Return
- 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Pension scheme & death in service insurance
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- Access to Perkbox – discounts on retail, travel, and more
- MediCash – free healthcare support
- Internal and external training to develop your skills
- Childcare support – vouchers or workplace nursery benefit
- Free parking and provided uniform
Location: North-West based (remote/hybrid)
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