Payroll & Reward SME

Essential experience

• Payroll experience within a medium to large, fast-paced organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing complex payroll and reward queries.
• Excellent customer service, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify solutions.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement and change initiatives.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Experience supporting and developing colleagues through knowledge sharing and training.

Desirable experience

• Experience working across both Payroll and Reward.
• SAP Payroll system knowledge.
• Project or change management experience.
• CIPP qualification (or working towards).
• Active engagement in payroll professional networks and ongoing professional development.
• Experience supporting team capability development, including skills matrices.

Salary up to £40,000 depending on experience.

• Potential, discretionary annual bonus
• Generous pension scheme
• 12 flexible days on top of 25-day holiday entitlement
• 2 paid volunteering days
• A focus on personal development and growth

This is a full-time 12 month fixed term opportunity, but we are always open to discuss individual's flexible working needs so please speak to use during the recruitment process to understand what this could look like for you.

We're looking for an experienced Payroll & Reward professional to join our Payroll & Reward team in York as a Payroll & Reward SME.

Acting as the Subject Matter Expert within HR Operations, you will play a key role in delivering accurate, compliant and customer-focused payroll and reward services across the UK & Ireland. Working closely with our payroll shared services provider, DXC, you will help ensure an exceptional colleague experience while supporting continuous improvement across our processes.

You will provide expert support to employees, line managers and HR colleagues, taking ownership of complex payroll and reward queries and delivering high levels of service and accuracy. Working across Payroll and Reward, you will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure legal compliance, continuous improvement and an excellent customer experience.

As a maternity cover opportunity, this role offers the chance to make an immediate impact within a high-performing team. We're looking for someone who can bring expertise, fresh thinking and a passion for delivering excellent service while helping us continue to enhance our processes and colleague experience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the Payroll & Reward SME, providing expert advice and support on complex queries.
• Delivering accurate and compliant payroll, reward and benefits processes across the UK & Ireland.
• Partnering with Tax, Legal, Pensions and external providers to ensure effective end-to-end processes.
• Managing relationships with third-party vendors, including DXC, to deliver a seamless customer experience.
• Monitoring legislative and market developments and supporting the implementation of required changes.
• Leading and supporting continuous improvement and change initiatives across Payroll & Reward.
• Supporting HR Operations projects and representing Payroll & Reward within wider business initiatives.
• Sharing knowledge and providing support to colleagues across the team.

Business Area: Nestlé UK&I
Location: York Office (Hybrid with a minimum of 2 days a week in the office)

Start Date: Ideally November 2026