UK Payroll and Benefits Assistant (no agencies)

What we will offer

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You can expect:

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and central care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when we experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.

Team Structure

The HR and Talent Development department consists of c50 people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning the employment and development of people within Stephenson Harwood. This involves carrying out appropriate initiatives, providing guidance and support to partners, managers and all employees alike, as well as supporting the creation of an environment which enables people to make the best use of their capabilities and realise their potential to the benefit of the firm and themselves. This means that we are involved in a wide range of activities including:

• Implementing strategy in line with business objectives
• End to end employee cycle, from recruitment, onboarding, succession planning and performance management
• Recruitment of all partners and employees, including graduate 'trainee' recruitment
• Talent and career management
• Reward strategy and salary review
• Supporting the end of year summary review and quarterly check-ins
• Employment and personnel administration, including payroll and benefits
• Policy and procedures setting and the practical application of these across the business globally

Main Responsibilities

UK Payroll, Pension and Benefits

• Processing the monthly UK payroll for over 600 employees including RTI and posting payroll journals, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery
• Administering the day to day duties for UK payroll from start to finish including starters, leavers, SSP, SMP/alabaster calculations, SPP, SAP, ShPP, auto-enrolment and pension management etc. Manual calculations alongside systems when needed
• Ensuring all day to day payroll tasks are completed in line with payroll monthly timeline and controls as well as monthly and annual reporting
• Administering month end and year end processes and reporting, including P60s
• Carrying out monthly reconciliations between payroll and HMRC information for PAYE, NI purposes
• Working closely and in collaboration with the wider HR team
• Liaising with benefits/pensions providers and third parties
• Providing high quality service and assistance to our employees and partners for payroll and benefits queries
• Ensuring data quality and integrity on all platforms/systems
• Being responsible for processing all providers' invoices in a timely manner
• Being responsible for the monthly and annual benefit reconciliations for employees and partners
• Updating monthly content on the firm's benefits platform

Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement

• Maintaining up to date documentation: knowledge management, templates and guidance for all activities
• Being involved in systems/platform upgrades and updates, including assisting on annual benefits platform renewal including testing, system configuration, rate changes etc.
• Updating for the HR pages of the firm's intranet and benefits documentation on the relevant platforms
• Keeping up to date with the regulations and practices
• Participating in the department projects to support the firm's strategy
• Proactively propose, plan and drive improvement to the way we operate to drive efficiency, accuracy and process streamlining

Experience and Qualifications

• Worked effectively in a similar role
• Strong IT skills, especially in Microsoft Excel to manipulate and interpret complex data
• Workday or other payroll system knowledge and experience
• Worked in a partnership and/or law firm (desirable)
• Degree qualified, or equivalent experience

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Accuracy and a strong attention to detail
• Able to handle sensitive situations and information confidentially and discreetly
• Flexible approach and proactive manner
• Empathetic and people-centric
• Strong customer service skills
• Approachable and able to build relationships at all levels
• Can-do, client focused and positive attitude
• Adaptable and amenable to changing deadlines and demands
• Resilient, dealing effectively with challenging situations
• Ability to work as part of a team or individually when needed
• Excellent organisational skills; planning and prioritisation; time management of self and others
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally across all levels of the firm, its partners, management and other staff

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About the Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our values:

Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent

Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard

Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships

Straight Talking - We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character - the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.