HR Specialist – Payroll and Benefits

JOB TITLE: HR Specialist – Payroll and Benefits

REPORTING TO:       Director, Human Resources

DEPARTMENT: Human Resources

POSITION SUMMARY:

Working with the Director, Human Resources and Senior HR Generalist as part of a team of 3, this role provides key organisational payroll and benefit support, delivering HR Operations duties to IPG's Corporate functions, including IT, Finance, Procurement, Legal and Tax.  This is a varied role with lots of opportunity to engage within the business and with external colleagues.

The post holder works on a range of duties, including but not limited to those outlined below, to deliver an effective and efficient HR service. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Payroll

• Manage the monthly UK payroll process, ensuring the DHR is kept updated throughout the process.
• Provide accurate payroll information, encompassing starters, leavers, maternity, promotions, transfers, flex benefit selection etc. in line with Payroll deadlines.
• Review the draft Payroll ensuring any queries are addressed to ensure accuracy of payments
• Work closely with Payroll and Finance colleagues as part of the process, including answering queries and securing approval.
• Respond to employee queries on any matters to do with Payroll
• Manage the annual P11D submission process

Benefits

• Manage IPG benefits delivery overall, being point person in the team for employees and external partners.
• Company benefits:
• Liaise with IPG's benefits broker for Company benefits (Life, GIP and Medical) throughout the year to resolve queries from employees, queries about invoices etc.
• Working with the broker, provide the information required for the annual broking process, responding promptly to queries and supporting the process through to conclusion.
• Manage pension uploads and queries, working closely with Payroll, Finance and external pension advisor to ensure accuracy of data and query resolution
• Flexible benefits:
• Manage the IPG flex benefits process with the external provider.
  • Upload the monthly change report and review the system reports received back
  • Liaise with IPG's flex benefit brokers on a regular basis to resolve system queries,
  • Manage the annual enrolment window process in Q1 with the flex benefit provider, ensuring that the system is up to date and can be opened to employees.

Invoicing

• Manage the invoicing process for the department, including benefit invoices, referencing checks with an external provider, legal fees etc. Work with the Finance function to ensure purchase orders are created, invoices are processed in a timely fashion and that good supplier relationships are maintained.
• Lead and administer business processes, including the raising and processing of relevant forms, checking of costs and monitoring of progress and completion

Contractors

• Act as point of contact for UK contractors, facilitating their hire through Worksome
• Engage with managers on the contractor process to establish contract details, and as needed contract extensions in a timely manner
• Set up and manage contracts in Worksome, including resolving system issues
• Manage contingent worker records in Workday to ensure IT access is initiated
• Run a robust process for managing extensions.
• Contribute to global reporting on contractors accurately and to deadline.

Information Management

• Manage the HR database (Workday). Ensure accurate employee records are maintained and updated in a timely manner, including for holiday and sickness, and SOX requirements are met. Work with the HR Shared Services team to resolve any system issues.
• Maintain an efficient and confidential filing system.
• To respond to all requests for data, such as information required for the compensation review, finance processes, tax and external statutory requests.

General

• Manage the HR mailbox on a day to day basis
• Manage queries from the business, working closely with managers and employees, as well as external partners. Provide comprehensive advice and assistance on all payroll and benefit matters, escalating and collaborating with the DHR as required. 
• Draft correspondence as required
• Working with the DHR, own the relevant GDPR logs and ensure accurate completion of data
• Provide support across the UK team as needed
• Collaborate as required with HR colleagues globally on any matters that affect UK employees, including employee transfers and compensation.
• Participate in Business Continuity.
• To work as part of global HR project teams and undertake research as required.
• To engage with any other requested duties to support across the team.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• A good standard of education
• An HR or payroll related qualification would be desirable

Skills:

• Fantastic attention to detail
• Excellent analytical skills, able to think through an issue, gather data and find resolution to problems that occur
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the project management skills to run projects such as P11d delivery, annual window for flex benefits etc
• Proven ability to consistently deliver to deadline
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build relationships and effectively collaborate at all levels of the organisation
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Products – Word, Excel and Teams is preferred
• Strong HR system skills. Would be highly desirable if had Workday knowledge.  ADP knowledge would be advantageous
• Able to multitask across responsibilities, working flexibly to manage the workload
• Thrives on change and acquiring new skills
• Ability to work independently, either from home or in the office, but also have a strong teamwork ethic
• Able to operate within a multi site environment
• Able to operate within a global, diverse organisation within a fantastic global team

Experience:

• Substantial proven experience of effective delivery of UK payroll within a team dealing with a client base of technical professionals
• Solid prior experience of managing benefits programmes, including but not limited to broker engagement on insured benefits and flex benefit systems
• Experience of working within an IT focused or Head Office environment would be advantageous

We, Interpublic Group (IPG), are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on any unlawful basis including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.