Payroll and HR Assistant

**Contractual hours**

36.25

**Basis**

Full time

**Job category/type**
- Central Functions

**Date posted**

03/12/2024

**Job reference**

REQ002690

**Payroll and HR Assistant**:
**Reading**

**Hybrid**

**Full Time**

**Permanent**

**Ref: REQ002690**

**XPS Group is a leading UK consulting and administration business specialising in the pensions and insurance sectors. At XPS, our vision is to create a vibrant place to work where difference is recognised as a strength and where talented people can flourish and achieve their highest **potential**.**

Our Central Functions business continues to grow and we are now looking for a HR and Payroll Assistant to join our vibrant Reading office with hybrid working. This is an exciting role and would most likely suit someone with previous experience in a similar payroll role where they have gained knowledge and experience of HR and payroll systems, and MS Office Products including Excel.

A FTSE 250 company, XPS combines expertise and insight with advanced technology and analytics to address the needs of over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsoring employers on an ongoing and project basis. We undertake pensions administration for over one million members and provide advisory services to schemes and corporate sponsors in respect of schemes of all sizes, including 88 with assets over £1bn. We also provide wider ranging support to insurance companies in the life and bulk annuities sector.

Our people drive our success and as an XPS employee you can bring your whole self to work - Everyone is treated equally and with respect. We will provide you with the support and training you need to grow and be at your very best. It’s about inclusion and diversity, ensuring all our people feel included, that they belong to XPS and that they’re happy. Above all, it’s about ensuring everyone has a voice and feels valued. Because they are.

**The Team**
At XPS Group, everything we do is centred around helping members of defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes receive the best outcomes and security in retirement.
-We also provide wider ranging support to insurance companies in the life and bulk annuities sector.
-The HR Team has expanded in support of the growth of the business over the past 18 months. The team is now going through an exciting time of defining processes, procedures and embarking on continuous improvement projects required to provide a professional and consistent service across XPS Group.

**The Role**
As a HR and Payroll Assistant with XPS you will:

Ensure all HR/payroll related data, including new starters, transfers, Leavers, Family Friendly Leave, absences Electric cars, Imports, Overpayments, PSP checking, and temporary input is accurately input in line with the payroll timetable.
- Act as the first point of contact for all HR and Payroll queries received via the HR Service portal, responding to or escalating queries as appropriate.
- Maintain accurate records for pension contributions, season ticket loans, and flexible benefits -to ensure these are paid over to the relevant organisations in a timely manner.
- Pension Auto Enrolment - prepare communication to be sent to employees that are enrolled to our pension scheme.
- Pension Funds Transfer - checking and transferring funds/refunds to relevant pension schemes monthly by the deadlines set by the pension providers.
- Process payroll reports, business reports and any ad hoc reports as required to inform business decisions.
- Actively contribute to the constant reviewing of current practices and processes to ensure continuous improvement and provide ad hoc administrative support to the wider HR team to support ongoing HR initiatives and projects.
- Liaison representative for all payroll related queries with company’s’ outsourced payroll provider (MHR) alongside and escalate any unresolved queries to the payroll manager within agreed SLA.
- Ensure all payroll data is checked, validated, and signed off during the payroll window prior to finalising the payroll each month.
- Responsible for the completion of external survey requirement (e.g. ONS) in accordance with GDPR principles.
- Provide support to and cover for the Payroll Manager by ensuring the monthly payroll process is delivered and staff payments are made in line with SLAs.

**Your profile**

**Essential Criteria**
- Minimum Grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
- Previous experience within a payroll team.
- IT literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel - particularly in vlookups), and confidence working with different HR and payroll systems.
- Highly organised and planning skills - able to work on their own initiative.
- Able to work effectively under pressure to tight deadlines
- Ability to follow processes and procedures
- Able to maintain confidentiality and integrity at all times
- Have a flexible, adaptable approach and willingness to learn new skills

**Desirable Criteria**
- Posse