Senior Payroll Administrator

Senior Payroll Administrator

About CVS Group

CVS Group plc is one of the UK's leading integrated veterinary services providers, with around 500 practices and a broad network of support teams across the UK and Australia. At CVS, people are at the heart of everything we do. We're committed to delivering high-quality services, supporting career development, and creating an environment where colleagues can learn, grow, and thrive.

The Role

As a Senior Payroll Administrator, you'll play a key role in delivering an accurate, compliant, and timely payroll service across a complex multi-site organisation. Alongside supporting complex payroll activity and acting as a point of expertise within the team, you'll contribute to system and process improvements, help optimise payroll platforms, and support change initiatives that enhance efficiency, control, and user experience.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate complex payroll activity across a large multi-site operation, ensuring consistency of process, governance, and service delivery
• Act as a senior point of escalation for payroll queries, resolving complex issues and providing expert guidance to colleagues and stakeholders
• Support and strengthen audit readiness through robust payroll controls, accurate record-keeping, reconciliations, and evidence management
• Play a key role in internal and external audit activity, including preparing documentation, responding to audit queries, and helping implement recommendations
• Review, challenge, and improve payroll processes to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and support a growing multi-site business
• Support system and process change initiatives, including testing, implementation support, and embedding new ways of working across the payroll function
• Identify opportunities to optimise payroll software, reporting tools, and platforms to improve performance, data quality, user experience, and operational control
• Contribute to project-based activity such as payroll transitions, process redesign, system enhancements, and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring actions are delivered to plan
• Work closely with HR, Finance, IT, and operational teams to manage payroll changes, support reporting requirements, and maintain strong cross-functional relationships
• Provide support, guidance, and informal leadership to junior team members, helping to build capability and maintain high standards within the payroll function

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical payroll expertise with a proactive, solution-focused mindset.

Essential:

• CIPP Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) – required
• Proven experience in a senior or end-to-end payroll role in a complex, multisite operation
• Experience working with high-volume and/or multi-site payrolls

• Experience with payroll systems and reporting tools
• Previous experience supporting or mentoring junior colleagues

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working arrangements and a flexible approach where possible
• Access to learning, education and development opportunities to support progression
• A supportive network with strong collaboration across teams and functions
• Wellbeing support and colleague-focused policies
• Company pension and access to a broad benefits offering
• The opportunity to be part of a growing organisation focused on continuous improvement