Payroll & HR Specialist

Payroll & HR Specialist

Greater Belfast Area, Full-Time, Permanent

Salary & Benefits

• £32,000 - £36,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• 6-9% annual performance bonus
• Pension scheme with up to 6% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance (subject to eligibility)
• Life assurance
• 20 days annual leave plus 11 statutory holidays
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement with length of service
• Free staff bus from Belfast City Centre
• Free onsite parking
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities
• Clear career progression pathways
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

Working Hours

• 37 hours per week, Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm and Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm

About the Opportunity
Apple Recruitment is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of one of Northern Ireland's leading employers, a highly respected organisation employing over 2,000 people across a diverse range of business functions.
This is an exciting time to join the business as it continues to invest in its future through ambitious strategic growth plans. The successful candidate will join a progressive and supportive HR team, playing a key role in delivering an excellent employee experience while ensuring payroll operations are accurate, compliant and efficient.

This is a genuine hybrid Payroll & HR role, offering the opportunity to combine end-to-end payroll responsibility with broader HR generalist activities including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations support and HR projects.

The Role
Reporting to the HR Manager, the Payroll & HR Specialist will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll across multiple group entities while providing proactive HR support throughout the employee lifecycle.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys variety and is keen to develop or further utilise their HR knowledge within a growing organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

• Process end-to-end monthly payroll across multiple group companies.
• Administer payroll changes including new starters, leavers, promotions, contractual changes, overtime, expenses and statutory payments.
• Ensure the accurate processing of PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions, student loans and other deductions.
• Prepare and process holiday pay calculations in line with statutory and contractual requirements.
• Administer taxable benefits in accordance with HMRC requirements.
• Manage pension administration, including auto-enrolment duties.
• Reconcile payroll reports and investigate discrepancies.
• Produce payroll reports and management information.
• Support year-end payroll processes and associated reporting requirements.

Human Resources

• Coordinate recruitment activities including advertising vacancies, arranging interviews, issuing offers and preparing employment contracts.
• Act as a first point of contact for HR queries from employees and managers.
• Support employee onboarding and induction activities.
• Assist with absence management administration and return-to-work processes.
• Support HR projects, policy reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with employee lifecycle administration including promotions, transfers and flexible working requests.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate payroll and employee records.
• Respond to payroll and HR queries professionally and confidentially.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, payroll regulations and company policies.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, controls and processes.
• Provide support and cover for colleagues within the HR team as required.

About You
Essential Criteria

• Payroll qualification or equivalent demonstrable payroll experience.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience processing end-to-end payroll within a multi-entity organisation.
• Experience using payroll systems such as PayCircle, Sage or similar payroll software.
• Experience administering workplace pension schemes and auto-enrolment requirements.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive employee information.
• Strong working knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and pension legislation.
• Excellent attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and general IT skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion at all times.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines.

Desirable Criteria

• CIPP qualification or working towards membership.
• CIPD qualification or working towards accreditation.
• Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding, absence management or employee relations activities.
• Experience administering payroll benefits.
• Experience working within a regulated industry.
• Experience working with HR systems.
• Knowledge of Northern Ireland employment legislation relating to recruitment, absence management and employee relations.

Important Information
Applicants must have the permanent right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Apply Today
To apply, please send your CV to Patricia O'Neill at Apple Recruitment via the application link below.
Even if this particular opportunity is not quite right for you, we would still be delighted to discuss other positions that may suit your experience, skills and career aspirations.
Apple Recruitment Services is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
Apple Recruitment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.