Payroll & Benefits Manager
Part-Time - open to 3 or 4 days per week, with flexibility on how those days are arranged
THE CONTEXT
The UK's zero-emission transport sector is being built right now. HydraB is at the centre of it - developing the vehicles, hydrogen infrastructure, power systems and energy services that move decarbonisation from ambition to operational reality across bus, coach, fleet and energy markets.
Five operating companies. One Group. A payroll and benefits function that every employee depends on every single month.
This role owns that.
THE ROLE
This is HydraB's in-house expert for payroll and benefits - a senior People team role with full accountability for the outsourced payroll relationship, all benefit scheme administration and the integrity of payroll and HR data across a complex, multi-entity group.
You'll be the trusted adviser to HR, Finance and business leaders on everything payroll and benefits - keeping the Group compliant, the data clean and the service reliable. We're open to 3 or 4 days per week, with flexibility on how those days are structured across the week. We'll also work with the right person around the monthly payroll window and annual benefits renewal periods to make sure the pattern works in practice.
WHAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY DO
- Own end-to-end monthly payroll through the outsourced bureau via IRIS Staffology - inputs, validation, approval and accuracy across new starters, leavers, contractual changes, variable pay and statutory payments
- Lead the outsourced payroll and benefits provider relationships - setting service expectations, managing performance and driving continuous improvement
- Oversee administration of all employee benefit schemes - PMI, pension, life assurance, income protection, critical illness, holiday purchase and car leasing
- Maintain payroll and benefits reconciliations - monthly provider reports, invoice validation and the annual P11D process
- Act as the Group's authority on payroll and benefits compliance - HMRC requirements, payroll legislation, pension auto-enrolment and employment law
- Partner with HR and Finance on pay reviews, bonus payments and reward initiatives
- Advise managers and employees on payroll and benefits queries with clarity and confidence
- Champion data integrity across the HRIS and payroll systems - audit disciplines, GDPR-compliant records, data quality
YOU'LL BE A GREAT FIT IF YOU
- Have substantial experience managing outsourced payroll in a UK multi-entity or group environment
- Know UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, statutory payments and pension auto-enrolment inside out
- Have managed employee benefit schemes end-to-end - provider relationships, enrolments, reconciliations and P11D reporting
- Are a confident, credible adviser - able to explain complex compliance matters clearly to non-specialist audiences
- Are highly organised and self-directing - you hit monthly payroll deadlines consistently without close supervision
- Have strong analytical skills and are comfortable working across HR systems and advanced Excel
- Can manage your working pattern around key payroll windows and annual benefits renewals without it becoming a problem
NICE TO HAVE
- CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll experience
- Familiarity with BambooHR, HealthBox HR or IRIS Staffology
- Experience in a fast-growing or multi-entity group environment
WHAT WE OFFER
- Pension - up to 8% employer contribution
- Private medical & dental
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with buy & sell flexibility
- Life assurance - 4x basic salary
- Income protection
- Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Employee referral bonus
- Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7, 365 days
- Retail discounts & cashback via Fizz Benefits
- Eyecare vouchers - Specsavers
HydraB is pioneering the UK's transition to net zero energy and transport - building the hydrogen and electric infrastructure that gets the sector to scale.
