Job Description

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Description

At Merseyrail, we're proud of our people-first culture, exceptional customer service, and commitment to continuous improvement. We're currently looking for a

Payroll and Benefits Advisor

to join our HR team and help ensure our 1200+ colleagues are paid accurately and supported with pensions, pay queries, and employee benefits.###

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Payroll and Benefits Manager, you'll:

Process lunar payrolls, ensuring all deadlines are met and employee data is accurate Support staff through pension processes, providing guidance on estimates, applications, and options Maintain and update HR/payroll systems (Zellis), including staff movements and audit checks Handle payroll queries and liaise with third parties and solicitors as needed Assist with cost centre alignment, end-of-year tax processing, and organisational structure updates Promote the benefits of online options - including Station/Depot training to maximise employee awareness Provide cover for the Payroll & Benefits Manager when required


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Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

We're after someone with strong analytical skills, a high level of accuracy, and a passion for people. The ideal candidate will have:

Proven experience in payroll and pensions Aptitude for both payroll and pension processes, with attention to compliance and timelines Experience with Zellis (or similar HR/payroll systems) is beneficial A CIPP Payroll qualification or working towards would be advantageous Proficient in Excel Strong communication skills with the confidence to support employees at all levels


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About Merseyrail

Merseyrail stands out as one of the most punctual and reliable rail networks in the UK. Over the last 15 years, we consistently achieve customer satisfaction scores above 90%, winning multiple national awards for our exceptional customer service and punctuality! With around 1,200 employees, we recognise that our team members play a vital role in our ongoing success. We're committed to investing in the development of our people and fostering inclusive practices that empower everyone at Merseyrail to reach their full potential.

As a self-contained network, we proudly offer the most affordable fares in the country. We operate over 600 regular services daily to 69 stations throughout the Liverpool City Region, with our four underground stations running trains every few minutes. On average, more than 90,000 passengers travel with us weekdays, and Liverpool Central station ranks among the busiest stations outside of London.

We've modernised significantly in recent years, with our new state-of-the-art trains now on the network. These brand-new electric and environmentally friendly trains, designed specifically for the Merseyrail network, feature pioneering sliding step technology, making us one of the most accessible networks in the UK. We've also refurbished many of our city centre stations, achieving step-free access at two-thirds of Merseyrail stations. We are working closely with the LCRCA to achieve our Metro Mayor's vision of a step-free network by 2030. We're also developing use of online ticketing in the near future, to then be followed by the introduction of barriers requiring just a tap of a contactless bank card.

We are actively engaged in the continuous development of our network. In 2023 we opened Headbolt Lane station, which extends the Kirkby line and benefits many additional passengers in the local area. Additionally, plans are underway for a new station, Liverpool Baltic Station, located just south of Liverpool City Centre. This station will serve the Baltic Quarter, the city's fastest-growing area, which is recognised as one of the UK's coolest neighbourhoods.