Payroll Specialist – UK & Expat Payroll

Job Title: Payroll Specialist – UK & Expat Payroll Job Location: Hammersmith, London / Hybrid Job type/Contract: Permanent

We are Met T&S, the Global Employment Company of MAIRE group, an industrial leader in Engineering & Construction, Technology & Licensing, and Energy Business Development and Ventures. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, the Group is among the global top-ranking engineering contractors.

You can find, and we invite you to discover more about MAIRE group and its projects on our web site: www.mairetecnimont.com/en

About the project/Role description

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Specialist to manage UK and expatriate payroll activities, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with payroll legislation and company policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate and timely UK monthly payroll, including statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP), PAYE, National Insurance, student loans, and auto-enrolment pensions, in compliance with HMRC regulations.

• Manage payroll lifecycle activities including new starters, leavers, salary changes, payroll adjustments, and year-end processes such as P60, P11D and P11D(b).

• Administer UK and expatriate payrolls (inbound and outbound assignments), including coordination and validation of shadow payrolls.

• Partner with Global Mobility, HR, Finance, and the payroll provider to ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery.

• Process expatriate payroll inputs including allowances, benefits, retention bonuses, leave records, pensions, deductions, and final settlements.

• Ensure correct processing of allowances, benefits-in-kind, pensions, salary sacrifice schemes, and taxable and non-taxable payments.

• Review and validate payroll calculations, reconciliations, reports, and payroll outputs to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Maintain compliance with UK tax, social security, payroll legislation, auto-enrolment requirements, and UK GDPR.

• Prepare payroll reports and support internal and external audits through documentation, controls, and query resolution.

• Act as a payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance to UK and expatriate employees regarding payslips, deductions, benefits, and payroll queries.

• Support onboarding and offboarding activities, maintain accurate payroll and HR records, and assist with payroll system enhancements, testing, and implementations.

• Work closely with HR, Finance, Global Mobility, and international stakeholders to support payroll operations across multiple countries.

Requirements

• Proven experience in UK payroll administration and payroll operations.

• Experience managing expatriate, international, or shadow payrolls.

• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments, and year-end reporting.

• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.

• Strong payroll validation, reconciliation, and analytical skills.

• Advanced Excel skills and experience with HRIS/payroll systems.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Knowledge & Qualifications

• CIPP would be highly desirable rather than mandatory.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years payroll experience preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.

• Attention to detail, management skills.

• Team-oriented skills, self-motivation and direction, with strong bias toward timely performance and problem resolution.

Special Comments

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing international business and play a key role in delivering accurate and complaint payroll services across the UK and a global expatriate population.