Payroll Specialist

GCO Partners City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

UK Payroll Specialist (In-House) Build It. Own It. Lead It.

Company: GCO Partners (in collaboration with a UK-based client)

Location: Johannesburg (Hybrid) or Fully Remote

This is not a maintenance payroll role.

GCO Partners is partnering with a UK organisation that is bringing payroll in-house for the first time - and they are looking for a UK Payroll Specialist to take full ownership of the function.

You will build, shape, and run the UK payroll operation end-to-end, moving the business away from outsourced providers and into a streamlined, high-quality in-house model.

If you want visibility, ownership, and real impact, this role delivers.

• Full end-to-end UK payroll ownership for 100-150 temporary workers and
• Managing and processing weekly timesheets accurately and on time
• PAYE, NIC, statutory deductions, and payroll compliance
• Payroll reconciliations, reporting, and issue resolution
• Acting as the go-to payroll expert for internal stakeholders
• Supporting the transition from outsourced payroll to an in-house operation
• Working with Merit payroll software (experience advantageous, training provided)
• Using Sage Line 50, with hands on involvement in the move to Sage 200

• Proven experience running UK payroll end-to-end
• Proven 2-3 years hands on UK payroll experience
• Worked directly with the HMRC on payroll submissions, queries, and compliance matters
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, NIC, and UK payroll legislation
• Experience managing payroll independently
• Experience with temporary or contract worker payroll
• Confidence working independently and owning outcomes
• Exposure to payroll systems (Merit advantageous, not essential)
• Sage experience preferred (Line 50 / Sage 200 beneficial)
• Detail driven, commercially aware, and comfortable in a fast moving environment

• True ownership of a critical business function
• Hybrid working model based in Johannesburg
• Exposure to system migration and process design
• A role with long term potential via an annual renewable contract
• High trust, high visibility, and direct impact on business operations

If you're a UK payroll professional who wants more than just processing - and you're ready to own, lead, and elevate payroll operations - this is your move.

Apply via LinkedIn or contact GCO Partners for a confidential discussion.