Payroll & Benefits Specialist

At Baird, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We're looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our Europe HR team in London. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, love solving problems, and are passionate about delivering exceptional employee experiences, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

As a Payroll & Benefit Specialist, you will:
Payroll Management

• Lead monthly payroll processing for London and Frankfurt in partnership with external providers (OSV and Mazars).

• Ensure accurate input of manual payments, flexible benefits, and compliance with audit standards.

• Respond to payroll queries from employees and finance teams with clarity and care.

• Support year-end processes including P11D submissions and audit coordination.

Benefits Administration

• Manage pension enrolments, healthcare, life assurance, and other benefit schemes across the UK and Germany.

• Liaise with vendors and brokers (e.g., Mercer) to ensure smooth operations and issue resolution.

• Conduct regular audits and maintain accurate records in Workday.

• Support annual benefits renewals and employee open enrolment communications.

Systems & Projects

• Administer and troubleshoot within Workday for payroll and benefits.

• Support implementation of new tools and systems, including loan tracking and short-term business visitor compliance.

• Collaborate on global HR initiatives, including the GIB bonus programme.

What we look for:

• 3+ years of experience in payroll and benefits administration.

• Strong knowledge of UK and German payroll legislation and pension regulations.

• Proficiency in Workday and Excel for data management and reporting.

• Excellent attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• A collaborative mindset and the ability to communicate with empathy and professionalism.

What makes this opportunity great:

• A culture rooted in integrity, respect, and teamwork.

• Opportunities to grow and contribute to meaningful HR initiatives.

• A supportive environment where your voice matters.