Payroll & Benefits Manager

Join our UK & Ireland Human Resources team as our Payroll and Benefits Manager and play a vital role in our business.

Having gained experience in a similar environment, the Payroll and Benefits Manager will take a strategic approach to payroll and benefits management and stakeholder engagement, ensuring payroll is delivered accurately and on time through third-party partners.  This position also offers the scope to look for ways to innovate and improve the employee benefits offerings and processes.

The role in detail:

Payroll Management: Oversee the payroll function to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll by the 3rd party partners, including salary, benefits, and pension contributions conforming to UK legislation.  Work with our Global Mobility team to ensure the Shadow Payroll for internal assignments is also processed accurately and compliantly.

Compliance: Ensure all payroll activities comply with HMRC regulations, tax laws, and employment legislation, minimising risk to the organisation.

Service Management: Act as the main point of contact for the payroll and benefits service providers. Manage and evaluate the service provided, ensure SLAs are met, and address any performance issues.

Process Improvement: Continuously assess and improve payroll and benefits processes for efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Work with the service providers to incorporate best practices and leverage technology enhancements.

Benefits Administration: Manage the employee benefits program, ensuring benefits are competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives and employee needs.

Benefits Portal Management: Work with our third-party providers to enhance the online benefits portal's functionality and user experience, ensuring it is intuitive, flexible, and utilised to its fullest extent.

Reporting & Reconciliation: Ensure accurate financial reporting and reconciliation of payroll and benefits, managing related audit activities effectively.

Employee Communication:  Ensure clear and effective communication channels to employees to advise of benefits options and annual processes.

Strategy Development: Contribute to and execute the long-term payroll and benefits strategy, evaluate new benefit initiatives, and support the wider HR objectives.

Required: Recognised payroll qualification (e.g., CIPP, BTEC, or equivalent experience). An accounting qualification would be an advantage but not essential.

Payroll Expertise: Significant experience in leading payroll for a medium to large-sized company in the UK, including experience of working with third party partners and managing the services they provide to the company. A key focus on providing excellent customer service to employees.

Technical Proficiency: Solid knowledge of UK payroll legislation, taxation, and compliance requirements. Proficiency in the usage and capabilities of various payroll software packages and HRIS systems.  Proven record of staying updated with changes in legislation, industry best practices and emerging trends through professional development and training opportunities.

Benefits Management: Experience in administering employee benefits and pension schemes, including vendor management and portal technologies.

Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, capable of explaining complex payroll and benefits information in a clear and accessible manner. You will also have strong leadership skills with the ability to collaborate with HR, finance, and external vendors effectively.

Analytical and Problem-Solving: Ability to analyse data, identify issues, and implement solutions to payroll and benefits-related problems. Capable of presenting and explaining data to a varied audience from different departments within the company.

Good Project Management experience would also be beneficial.

Job location:

Jealott’s Hill, Bracknell on a hybrid basis, we would also consider a remote based role in close geography to our key UK site locations to ensure you are part of the business and HR community.

Employee benefits:

This role offers a competitive base pay, at Syngenta we value total reward which includes the benefits we offer to our employees. We support well-being, including flexible working, generous holiday entitlement (31.5 days per annum), discretionary bonus scheme, competitive pension scheme, private medical insurance, employee assistance programme.

About Syngenta

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group.

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.