Payroll Governance Business Analyst | Central

We're looking to offer a of up to £42,000. In addition, we offer days 25 days annual leave, plus inclusive of bank holidays and the option to purchase additional days. Your benefits package includes flexible dental insurance plans, a company sponsored pension scheme, a 24/7 online GP service, life assurance and a fully comprehensive employee assistance programme. You'll also have access to our MyBenefits platform offering a variety of high street discounts, a cycle to work scheme, cashback cards, a saving scheme and much more!

We're looking for a Payroll Governance & Controls Analyst to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of our payroll operations. Acting as a trusted advisor and independent assurance partner, you'll help ensure our payroll processes are compliant, well-controlled, and consistently delivered to the highest standards.

Working across Payroll, HR, Finance, Technology, and external partners, you'll drive continuous improvement, strengthen governance frameworks, and help minimise operational risk in a fast-paced, evolving environment

• Lead payroll governance and controls activities by auditing payroll runbooks, testing controls, monitoring compliance, and maintaining governance frameworks across all payroll operations
• Ensure audit and regulatory readiness by supporting SOX requirements, coordinating internal and external audits, managing evidence collection, and tracking remediation actions
• Maintain accurate payroll documentation and risk management processes, including runbooks, process documentation, risk registers, issue logs, and action trackers
• Identify and mitigate payroll risks through analysis of control failures, payroll errors, compliance issues, and audit findings, driving corrective actions and continuous improvement
• Partner with key stakeholders across Payroll, HR, Finance, Technology, Internal Audit, and third-party providers to strengthen governance, support transformation initiatives, and enhance operational effectiveness

You will be based in our Central Offices in Northampton with the option of hybrid working of 3 days working in the office.

Are you passionate about governance, compliance, and making sure every detail counts?

• Demonstrable payroll experience within a large, complex organisation, with a strong understanding of end-to-end payroll processes, controls, governance, and UK payroll legislation
• Experience in governance, compliance, risk, audit, or controls, including SOX environments, process reviews, control testing, documentation management, and compliance assessments
• Strong analytical and Excel skills, with the ability to interpret large data sets, identify trends and risks, perform root cause analysis, and produce meaningful management reporting
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively, influence change, and build effective relationships across multiple functions
• A proactive, detail-oriented mindset, demonstrating integrity, accountability, sound judgement, and a passion for continuous improvement, governance excellence, and operational compliance
• CIPP qualification (or equivalent) and experience producing governance, compliance, audit, and performance reporting

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