The team..
The People Payments team operates at the heart of ITV's HR and Finance operations, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across all legal entities. We are a collaborative, customer-focused team dedicated to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and strong data governance. Working closely with broader HR and Finance functions, our team manages end-to-end payroll data, supports critical project and compliance initiatives, and handles payroll cutover and hypercare activities in a fast-paced environment.
The role..
We’re looking for a Payroll Projects Senior Assistant to join our team on a 10-month fixed-term contract basis. Reporting directly to the Payroll Project & Compliance Manager, you will play a crucial role in supporting payroll project and compliance activities, with a primary focus on the M&E Payroll.
In this varied and detail-driven role, you will be responsible for supporting the accurate and timely processing of payroll data and payments across all ITV legal entities. You will execute end-to-end payroll transactions, perform reconciliations, carry out User Acceptance Testing (UAT), maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and manage payroll-related queries via our helpdesk and shared inboxes.
Some of your key day to day responsibilities will include:
- Processing payroll-related transactions, including new starters, leavers, employee movements, variable pay, bonuses, overtime, freelancer contract payments, VAT, salary adjustments, and temporary responsibility payments.
- Calculating and processing family leave, secondments, sabbaticals, pension-related adjustments, overpayment recoveries, and retroactive post-payroll analysis.
- Conducting UAT, payroll comparison testing, and output validation to ensure data accuracy during system changes and project implementations.
- Supporting payroll cutover activities and providing hypercare support following implementation.
- Drafting, maintaining, and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process notes, and supporting operational documentation.
- Performing data quality control checks, conducting regular data cleansing activities, and reviewing third-party reports within agreed timescales.
- Managing and resolving employee and manager queries received via the Payroll Inbox, Fusion Helpdesk, and telephone in a professional, customer-focused manner.
- Collaborating cross-functionally with the People Payments team, HR, and Finance to ensure service continuity in line with established SLAs and controls.
Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)
- 5 GCSEs at grades A–C including English and Maths (or equivalent).
- Recent experience in an administrative or support position, preferably within payroll, finance, or high-volume payment processing environments.
- Accurate, high-speed data entry skills with high attention to detail, proficient in Microsoft Word/Excel or Google Docs/Sheets.
- Confident handling of confidential and sensitive information with a sound understanding of GDPR and data protection regulations.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with proven experience logging, tracking, and resolving queries professionally.
- Familiarity with basic accounting principles and comfort working within established policies, procedures, and best practices.
Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)
- Previous experience processing end-to-end payroll, alongside familiarity with Oracle Fusion or similar HCM/bespoke payment systems.
- Knowledge and awareness of current payroll legislation (e.g., HMRC rules, Data Protection, Employment Rights).
- Experience conducting UAT testing, comparison testing, and supporting query escalation processes.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with a positive, adaptable mindset when managing changing priorities under deadline pressure.
- Track record of working collaboratively with stakeholders across different departments in a complex or large organisation.
- May require occasional travel within the UK.
- Requires flexibility in working hours during peak payroll cycles and critical project deliverables.
Please note, on occasion we may receive a very large volume of applications which means applications for a role may close earlier than the referenced closing date. We’d encourage you to apply as soon as possible if interested.
