Methods is currently recruiting for a Group Payroll Lead to join our team in our London office. This role will be hybrid working with office and remote working as an option.

About Methods & the Group:

Methods, a £100m Digital Transformation company, now part of the ALTEN Group, is a leading digital transformation consultancy with a 34-year legacy of innovative business and digital technology services. During this time, we have, provided cutting-edge business and digital technology services across the whole UK public sector, and now though our links with the ALTEN group, to private sector clients.

Since Methods’ establishment in 1990, we have partnered with local and central government departments and agencies, and our reach now extends to a diverse range of industries including Aeronautics, Defence, Automotive, Energy, Life Sciences, Banking, and Retail as part of the ALTEN group. Our mission is twofold: to improve and safeguard public-facing services in the UK, and to support our clients' development strategies and technological transformations across all sectors.

We believe that our human-centric approach sets us apart from other consultancies. We apply digital thinking to ensure that services, whether public or private, are centred around the end-users. Our customer-focused value system drives us to deliver what's right for our clients, collaborating closely to share skill sets and solve complex problems.

With over 50 active clients, many of whom have been with us for more than a decade, we've built a significant portfolio spanning both government and private sectors. Our team of passionate, diligent, and agile professionals is united by a common purpose: building tomorrow's world today.

At Methods-ALTEN, we foster a culture that encourages learning from experiences. We work hard while having fun, supporting our clients' success, and driving innovation across a wide spectrum of industries.

Join us in shaping the future.

Requirements

Purpose of the Role:

We are looking for a Group Payroll Lead to own the payroll function at Methods and provide leadership to the Group Payroll team. You’ll work to ensure our colleagues are paid correctly and on time. A big part of your job will be to lead our Group Payroll team and ensure our group process are fit for purpose and manage our external payroll provider to ensure a smooth and seamless payroll across the Group.

Our ideal candidate is analytical and methodical, with experience in ADP payroll system and deep knowledge of UK payroll regulations. We also value integrity, team spirit and strong organizational skills.

 Your goal will be to ensure our payroll teams are harmonised, our that our group procedures are legally compliant, efficient, and current.

 Accountabilities:

• Ensure all colleagues are paid the correct amount, on the correct day, with the correct withholdings, in Methods and across the UK group
• Ensure all changes in any elements in pay are correctly captured in ADP, on a timely basis, time being of the essence, in Methods and across the UK group
• Ensure that all pension contributions are calculated, withheld, and paid over on a timely basis, in Methods and across the UK group
• Ensure all Gender Pay Gap analyses are produced on an accurate and timely basis for all group companies

Responsibilties:

• Provide a best practice model of payroll, sharing knowledge and working through complex issues and solutions with the payroll team
• Lead the payroll team to deliver processes for circa 2,000 colleagues across the UK
• Ensure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for payroll are clearly defined, achieved, and measured regularly
• Monitor service metrics to meet agreed targets
• Develop systems to process payroll account transactions (e.g. salaries, benefits, deductions, taxes and third party payments)
• Establish and maintain group payroll controls and group payroll related procedures for regulatory compliance
• Accountable for effective payroll risk management
• Ensure compliance with GDPR regulations
• Responsible for the management of payroll vendors, including cost, contract and performance management to required SLAs/KPIs
• Oversee processing of payroll changes (e.g. new hires, terminations, raises) and system upgrades
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies
• Liaise with Finance around the payroll processes
• Collaborate with Human Resources (HR) and drive payroll compliance with reporting  
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports
• Resolve issues and answer payroll-related questions

 Requirements and skills

• Experience using ADP Payroll platform
• Proven experience as a group payroll manager or similar role
• Experience of leading and having accountability for a multi-locational department
• Current knowledge of payroll procedures and related laws
• A flexible and positive attitude towards change; resilient, self-motivated
• Excellent understanding of payroll and taxes
• A keen eye for detail
• An analytical mind and good math skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication and conduct and a proven ability to build strong relationships across functions Organizational and leadership skills
• Familiarity MS Office (especially Excel)

Benefits

Methods is passionate about its people. We want our colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

By joining us you can expect

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
• Strong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadership
• A supportive and collaborative environment

As well as this, we offer:

• Development access to LinkedIn Learning, a management development programme and training
• Wellness 24/7 Confidential employee assistance programme
• Social – Breakfast Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and Pizza on the last Thursday of each month as well as commitment to charitable causes
• 25 days a year holiday, alongside a holiday purchase scheme
• Pension Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution
• Discretionary Company Bonus based on company and individual performance
• Life Assurance of 4 times base salary
• Private Medical Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)
• Worldwide Travel Insurance which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)