Payroll SME

This role is responsible for providing expert-level knowledge and guidance on all aspects of payroll processing, compliance, and systems. The Payroll SME will ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery, support process optimisation, and act as a key resource for complex payroll-related queries and projects.

What you’ll be doing as a Payroll SME

• Completing the in house monthly internal payroll activities, adhering to internal and external compliance and controls
• Working with the wider payroll team to ensure accurate end-to-end payroll processing for employees.
• Provide training to the Payroll HR Coordinators on payroll processes and the wider People Services Team when processes are created or changed.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to complete a change impact assessment prior to making improvements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required payroll data and documentation and answering queries.
• Prioritising and completing incoming work, handling highly confidential information with integrity.
• Ensuring policies and processes are up to date and working with Pay and Benefits Manager to ensure changes affecting payroll are enacted, communicated to the wider team and associated documentation updated.
• Manage a team of employees

Base location: Hybrid - Reading
Working hours: 36 hours, Monday to Friday

What you should bring to the role
To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Extensive experience of working in a large UK Payroll team
• Experience in using payroll systems
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring:

• Certificate in Payroll Practice
• Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) or equivalent professional qualification or HR knowledge.
• BA in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources
• Experience of Success Factors

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £40,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.