The Role
Processes monthly and lunar payrolls accurately and on schedule, including reconciliations, BACS payments, HMRC submissions, statutory payments, pension administration, employee deductions, payroll records, payslips and year-end documentation. The role maintains payroll compliance and confidentiality, investigates discrepancies, supports employees and managers, and contributes to process improvements. Strong numerical accuracy, organisation, communication, payroll knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office are required.
Summary Generated by Built In
Newsquest Media Group are looking for a Payroll Administrator to join our established payroll team based in Southampton. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with payroll experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where accuracy, organisation and attention to detail are essential.
Working closely with the Group Payroll Manager and wider payroll team, you'll play a key role in ensuring employees across Newsquest Media Group are paid accurately and on time. You'll be involved in all aspects of the payroll process, from reconciliations and statutory payments through to pension administration, HMRC submissions and payroll reporting.
This role offers a mix of payroll processing, compliance and stakeholder interaction, making it ideal for someone who enjoys both the technical and customer service aspects of payroll.
Key Responsibilities
- Process monthly and lunar payrolls accurately and within agreed deadlines.
- Deliver a high-quality payroll service to employees and managers across the business.
- Complete payroll reconciliations and manage third-party payments.
- Ensure payroll data is accurate and maintained within payroll systems.
- Process BACS payments as part of each payroll cycle.
- Submit payroll information to HMRC, ensuring all data is accurate and compliant.
- Administer statutory payments including SSP, SMP and other payroll-related deductions.
- Support Pension Auto Enrolment processes, employee communications and ongoing pension administration.
- Maintain employee payroll records and audit trails.
- Produce and distribute payroll documentation, including payslips and P45s.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure payroll deadlines and year-end schedules are achieved.
- Identify and escalate payroll issues, risks or discrepancies where appropriate.
- Review payroll calculations and perform manual checks to support payroll accuracy.
- Maintain strict confidentiality when handling employee information.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of payroll processes and controls.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Previous payroll administration experience.
- Good understanding of PAYE and National Insurance regulations, including Scottish PAYE.
- Knowledge of National Minimum Wage regulations and payroll deductions.
- Understanding of statutory payments such as SSP and SMP.
- Awareness of Auto Enrolment pension legislation and pension administration processes.
- Knowledge of attachment of earnings, court orders and other employee deductions.
- Understanding of Benefits in Kind would be advantageous.
- Strong attention to detail and a high level of numerical accuracy.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.
- Confident using Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
- Experience using Microsoft Copilot or similar AI tools to support productivity and process improvement would be advantageous, but is not essential.
- Ability to handle confidential information professionally and discreetly.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
- Structured career progression & ongoing training
- Pension plan
- Employee Helpline counselling and advice
- Perks & discounts including:
- Gym membership
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care
- Retail discounts
- Team building days & annual volunteer charity day
About
A name you can trust - we’ve been a part of your community for generations.LOCALiQ is the name for all that Newsquest Media Group does today, from trusted local newspapers and websites to digital marketing services that can help you reach new customers as you’ve never been able to before.LOCALiQ is the name that combines your trusted local news brand with digital marketing.It hasn’t replaced the name of your local Newsquest newspaper and its website, but it encompasses everything we can offer.Those services include online advertising and best-in-class digital marketing, backed by data gathered from our 1.5 million local campaigns and 45 million monthly users.Put our experts to work for you, and we believe you’re hiring the best marketing partner a business can have.
Skills Required
- Previous payroll administration experience
- Understanding of PAYE and National Insurance regulations, including Scottish PAYE
- Knowledge of National Minimum Wage regulations and payroll deductions
- Understanding of statutory payments, including SSP and SMP
- Awareness of pension auto-enrolment legislation and pension administration
- Knowledge of attachment of earnings, court orders and other employee deductions
- Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Confidence using Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
- Ability to handle confidential information professionally and discreetly
- Understanding of Benefits in Kind
- Experience using Microsoft Copilot or similar AI productivity tools
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The Company
What We Do
We are a media company with a difference. We are committed to bringing a voice to your region by investing in a passionate team of journalists who proudly serve their communities by sharing authoritative news that readers trust. Our sales teams provide local businesses with highly responsive digital advertising and marketing solutions. We are one of the largest regional news publishers in the UK and have a portfolio of more than 250+ local news brands and magazines online and in print. With an online audience of 41 million users a month and 7 million readers a week in print, our content is read by a substantial proportion of the UK population. In addition to our local news brands, we own a number of digital pure play and specialist media businesses such as s1jobs and s1homes, Exchange & Mart, and Newsquest Specialist Media. We also own LOCALiQ, an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in driving more leads, increasing online growth and generating return on marketing investment on behalf of thousands of UK SMBs. Our parent company is Gannett Inc, the largest news publisher in the US. Gannett is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
