Payroll Officer

Merrifield Consultants are delighted to be partnering with a well‑established organisation within the public services sector to recruit a confident and highly capable Payroll Officer for an immediate start. Summary of the role This is a fast‑paced payroll position requiring someone who can independently manage high‑volume monthly processing with accuracy and confidence. You will take full ownership of payroll operations, ensuring timely and compliant delivery. Ideal for a proactive payroll professional who thrives in structured processes and understands the demands of a 24/7 workforce. Details of the role We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer who has single‑handedly processed at least 180 payments per month and is fully proficient in iTrent. You will join a supportive team environment but will be trusted to manage your own workload, applying strong judgement, attention to detail and a solutions‑focused approach. This role suits someone from a services‑based or shift‑pattern environment, where accuracy, pace and consistency are essential. Salary: £30,000 - £40,000 (dependent on experience) Contract: 3‑month temporary assignment Working week: 37.5 hours p/w Start: ASAP Location: London Hybrid: Ideally 3 days in the office, but 2 or even 1 day can be accommodated for the right candidate Responsibilities Payroll processing - Independently manage end‑to‑end monthly payroll for 180+ staff, ensuring accuracy and compliance iTrent management - Maintain and update payroll records, workflows and reporting within iTrent Data reconciliation - Reconcile timesheets, shift patterns and variable pay elements across a 24/7 workforce Compliance oversight - Ensure alignment with statutory requirements, internal controls and audit standards Query resolution - Act as first point of contact for payroll queries, providing timely and accurate responses Process improvement - Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and strengthen payroll accuracy Person specification Essential iTrent experience Proven experience processing 180+ payments per month single‑handedly Attention to detail Clear, professional and confident communication skills Desirable Sector understanding background in services, healthcare, facilities, security or any 24/7 shift‑based environment If you are an experienced Payroll Officer with strong iTrent capability and the ability to manage high‑volume processing independently, we would love to hear from you. Please apply today to be considered. We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout