SENIOR PAYROLL SPECIALIST , UK & ROI

Because we strive to put people first.
Culture, our way.
Payroll at Primark
What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end, in-house processing of our UK and ROI payrolls, including all employee types: salaried, hourly, part-time, and seasonal.
• Process starters, leavers, contractual changes, variable pay elements (overtime, bonuses, commissions), and statutory payments.
• Collaborate with P&C to ensure payroll data is accurately maintained in the HRIS (e.g., Workday)
• Ensure strict compliance with UK (HMRC, RTI, P11D, auto-enrolment) and Irish (Revenue, PRSI, USC) payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Manage statutory year-end processes: P60s, P45s, P11Ds (UK), and other ROI filings.
• Stay up to date with regulatory changes and ensure timely system and process updates.
• Conduct regular payroll reconciliations and ensure accuracy between payroll, HR, and finance systems.
• Work with Finance to post payroll journals, reconcile payroll accounts, and support month- and year-end close.
• Assist with internal/external audits by providing reports, documentation, and process walk-throughs.
• Act as a senior point of contact for complex payroll queries from employees and internal teams.
• Support payroll onboarding for new employees and offboarding for leavers.
• Partner with Retail Operations and P&C to manage fluctuations in headcount and seasonal peaks (e.g., Christmas hiring).
• Proactively identify and lead payroll process improvements, automation initiatives, and control enhancements.
• Support integration projects between HRIS and payroll systems.
• Provide training, mentoring, and quality checks for junior payroll staff or P&C partners.
• Monitor work against deadlines and alert payroll Manager to any risks
• Work with the team to ensure that company and team procedures and policies are followed so that payrolls are delivered accurately
• Provide cover for Payroll Manager including by partnering with other Payroll specialists on payroll sign off and other high priority tasks
• Work closely with Compliance and Governance team ensuring we are delivering consistently in a compliant way

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular:

• 5+ years of hands-on, in-house payroll processing experience for both UK and ROI.
• Strong working knowledge of UK and Irish payroll legislation and best practices.
• Experience working with high-volume, hourly paid, and shift-based employees — ideally in a retail, logistics, or hospitality environment.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, reconciliation).
• Experience with payroll software (e.g., SD Worx, MHR, Iris, or similar) and HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, Oracle, SAP).
• Detail-oriented with a proactive, solution-focused mindset.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• CIPP (UK) or IPASS (ROI) qualification desirable
• Knowledge of Alteryx desirable
• Familiarity with rostering/scheduling systems (e.g., Kronos, Quinyx) desirable
• Organised and focussed approach
• Capable of making routine decisions on the team, recognising boundaries and knowing when to escalate
• Ability to use correct tone and approach in dealings within the team
• Remaining calm under pressure and can deal with multiple priorities
• Demonstrates flexibility whilst always keeping priorities and timelines in mind
• Supports team members in training and learning
• Is a collaborative team player with good interpersonal/communication skills