Payroll Project Specialist

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Payroll Project Specialist

Crawley – Hybrid module

Primary Purpose of the Role:

The role supports payroll tasks and projects, driving continuous improvement in payroll processes and systems. It ensures streamlined, efficient, accurate, and compliant end-to-end payroll operations by analyzing data to identify improvements and by supporting implementations and upgrades. Working closely with Thales’ payroll provider and internal teams, the role delivers timely and robust payroll services for Thales UK employees, maintaining payroll integrity and enhancing employee experience.

Principal Relationships:

• Outsourced payroll provider
• PSS Partners and the Team at Tier 1, based in an offshore regional hub  
• Other teams & Managers within UK HR Operations (Business Analyst / HRIS, Payroll). HR Process Improvement & Project and Transformation Managers
• HR Business Partners (UK)
• HR Centre of Excellence Leads and Delivery teams particularly Employee Relations, C&B & Employee Experience
• Key stakeholders across the business including Finance and Treasury

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Collaborate to resolve payroll issues quickly, minimizing employee impact.
• Assist with payroll discrepancies and support system/tool queries.
• Prioritize resolution using data-driven approaches, meeting SLA targets.
• Act as contact for process changes, system upgrades, and legislative updates; ensure communication and training.
• Support payroll projects to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Identify error trends, suggest improvements, and drive process optimization.
• Plan and track work with the Team Leader; report progress and risks.
• Analyze data for decision-making and maintain clear communication.
• Support compliance, audits, and handle sensitive data confidentially.
• Investigate issues with root cause analysis and problem-solving.
• Implement controls to safeguard data quality and assist with training.
• Maintain process guides and procedures.

Skills & Behaviours:

• Experience with Workday, ServiceNow, and payroll systems.
• Strong customer service focus, meeting stakeholder needs.

This role will require SC Clearance. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance. Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the National Security Vetting (NSV) Agency - United Kingdom Security Vetting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Core Benefits:

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare (grade dependent)
• Pension scheme
• Life cover24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• You can read about some of our other benefits here: UK benefits | Thales Group

Connect with Fiona Tal, Talent Acquisition Partner #LI-FT1 who is eager to explore together with you this exciting opportunity.

Security Clearance Requirement:

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!