Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Contract: InterimDuration: 6-12 monthsStart: ImmediateDaily rate: £275-£300 per dayWorking pattern: 4 or 5 days per week (4 days considered)Location: Kent

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to provide urgent cover following a sickness absence in the payroll team. This is a hands-on delivery role, requiring someone who can take immediate ownership of payroll operations with minimal handover.

Alongside end-to-end payroll delivery, the role will play a key part in payroll system design, configuration, and process improvement. The organisation uses the Frontier payroll system; prior Frontier experience is strongly preferred, but candidates with strong transferable payroll systems experience will be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate end-to-end payroll processing in line with agreed timetables
• Take immediate ownership of payroll delivery with minimal handover
• Ensure ongoing compliance with payroll legislation, internal controls, and audit requirements
• Play a hands-on role in payroll system design and configuration, including:
• Reviewing the current system setup and payroll processes
• Redesigning workflows, controls, and system usage
• Supporting configuration changes and future-state system design
• Balance business-as-usual payroll delivery with active system and process improvement
• Work closely with HR, Finance, and key stakeholders to stabilise and enhance payroll operations

Essential Experience

• Proven experience delivering end-to-end payroll in a hands-on operational role
• Strong experience in payroll systems configuration, redesign, or implementation
• Comfortable working in pressured environments with limited handover
• Highly delivery-focused, pragmatic, and able to work autonomously

Desirable Experience

• Frontier payroll system experience
• Experience providing payroll cover during periods of sickness or organisational pressure
• Background in medium to large organisations
• Previous interim or contract experience