Payroll Specialist - 12 Month FTC

Optiver is looking for a Payroll Specialist to join the Human Resources team in our London office on a fixed-term 12-month contract. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional with strong knowledge of UK statutory benefits and leave administration who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. In this role, you will take full ownership of UK payroll while supporting benefits and statutory compliance activities that are critical to the employee experience. We are seeking someone who is detail oriented, proactive, and confident operating independently, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering accurate and compliant payroll and benefits support.

What You'll Do

As the Payroll Specialist, you will be the primary owner of UK payroll operations and a key contributor to payroll related systems, compliance, and benefits activities. Your responsibilities will include:

• Full ownership of the monthly UK payroll process, including preparation, validation, submission, and post payroll reconciliation.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll matters, coordinating with external vendors and internal stakeholders across HR, Finance, and Tax.
• Ensuring payroll compliance with UK tax, statutory, and employment requirements. This includes social security compliance for UK payroll, providing guidance on employee and employer contribution obligations and ensuring accurate withholding and reporting.
• Partner with overseas and in-country HR, Finance, and Tax teams to manage UK payroll obligations for internationally mobile employees.
• Managing payroll inputs and data accuracy within Workday and connected payroll systems.
• Supporting payroll audits and responding to internal and external audit requests.
• Partner with HR Advisory and People Operations colleagues to support payroll-related aspects of the employee lifecycle.
• Support benefits initiatives, including annual renewals and employee communications.

Support UK benefits and statutory leave administration activities, including payroll deductions, enrollments, and coordination with relevant stakeholders and vendors

Manage benefits initiatives, including annual renewals and employee communications.

Support HR compliance reporting and governance activities while championing GDPR compliance within payroll and HR data processes, working closely with the Data Protection Officer.

Monitoring UK statutory leave and pay legislation to ensure ongoing compliance, proactively identifying regulatory changes and assessing organisational impact.

Conducting periodic reviews of existing leave and benefits administration practices to ensure alignment with current legislation and internal policy.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or Administration, or equivalent experience;
• Strong working knowledge of:
• UK payroll, statutory benefits administration, and associated UK employment law
• UK statutory leave and pay regulations, including the ability to interpret legislative updates and assess operational impact
• Working knowledge:
• Systems including implementation such as Workday, ADP Celergo, Greenhouse would be advantageous;
• International mobility tax implications and payrolling benefits would be an advantage
• Demonstrated experience supporting statutory leave administration within payroll, ensuring accurate pay calculations and compliance.
• Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with a collaborative, service- oriented approach.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software;
• Strong understanding of HMRC reporting requirements including year end processes and statutory submissions.

Experience collaborating with colleagues in complex business models across multiple countries and jurisdictions would be desirable.

CIPP qualification preferred

Who We Are

At Optiver, our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilizing force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe.

What You'll Get

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive:

• A performance-based bonus structure, enabling all of our employees to benefit from our global profit pool.
• 27 paid vacation days plus all UK public holidays.
• Daily breakfast and lunch, along with support on commuting expenses.
• Private medical insurance, pension scheme, and ClassPass fitness membership.
• Training and continuous learning opportunities, including access to conferences and tech events.
  
  
  

How To Apply

Apply directly via the form below. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruitment team via our recruitment inquiry form.

Please note:

• We do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role
• We cannot accept applications via email
  
  
  

Diversity statement

Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion.