Payroll, Pensions & Benefits Manager

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The firm

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.

Purpose of job

As Payroll, Pensions and Benefits Manager, you will lead and manage the delivery of payroll, pensions, and employee benefits across the firm, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations and internal policies.

You will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, effective pension scheme administration, and the development and management of a competitive benefits offering that supports employee engagement and retention.

Accountabilities

• Manage and support end-to-end payroll operations for approximately 1,000 employees, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a seamless experience for managers and colleagues.
• Oversee pension scheme administration, including auto-enrolment compliance, scheme communications, and liaison with pension providers.
• Lead the administration, communication, and renewal processes for employee benefits, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, and salary sacrifice schemes.
• Ensure full compliance with HMRC regulations and employment legislation relating to payroll, pensions, and benefits.
• Act as the firm's subject matter expert on payroll, pensions, and benefits, providing guidance to HR colleagues, Partners, and senior leadership.
• Manage relationships with external payroll and benefits providers (e.g., BUPA, CycleScheme, Tusker), ensuring service quality, contract compliance, and value for money.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of current benefits offerings, making recommendations for enhancements and driving employee engagement to maximise uptake.
• Support the annual salary review and bonus processes with accurate data, reporting, and insights.
• Collaborate with the HR team to develop and implement a total reward strategy, including flexible benefits.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline payroll and benefits processes, improve service delivery, and enhance internal controls.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting for finance, audit, and regulatory purposes.
• Support internal audits and compliance checks related to payroll and benefits, working closely with the Head of HR, HR Director, and Finance Director.
• Upskill and support the HR team to provide backup payroll coverage and build internal capability.
• Line manage and develop the payroll and benefits team, fostering a culture of high performance, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications/Experience

• Extensive experience managing payroll and benefits in a professional services or corporate environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pension schemes, and employee benefits.
• Experience of managing third-party payroll and benefits providers.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex data with accuracy.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical matters clearly.
• Proficient in payroll systems, Microsoft Excel and SharePoint.
• Experience of leading and developing a team.
• CIPP qualification (or equivalent) desirable.

Equal opportunities

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.