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**Who are UPP?**

We are proud to be the UK's leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation, with over 35,000 beds where more than 500,000 students from around the world have called home over the years. We provide a complete solution of Design, Build, Fund, and Operate (DBFO) student accommodation and campus facilities exclusively to the higher education sector. This means we not only design and create cutting edge sustainable buildings, but we also help finance them and successfully manage the onsite operations long-term.

However, we're more than just accommodation, we create spaces where students can thrive, connect, and make the most of their university experience. Our mission is to support every student's journey by offering a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment to live and learn.

**Our Core Values:**

Our core values of Innovation, Sustainability, Community, Partnership and Respect, are fundamental to our culture and summarise what is important to our business and our people.

**What We Offer:**

At UPP, we believe your career should be as rewarding as the impact you make. Here's what you can expect when you join us:

- **Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging:** An inclusive culture where everyone feels respected, heard, and empowered.
- **Career Growth:** Learn, lead, and progress with tailored training and leadership programmes.
- **Rewards & Benefits:** Competitive package and range of benefits designed for you.
- **Health and Wellbeing:** From mental health resources to wellness programmes, and everyday support.
- **Purpose & Impact:** Every role shapes the student experience.

UPP welcome all applications and recognise the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities we work with and has a positive impact on our people, our student residents, and our university partners.

## Interim Payroll & Reward Manager

**Location:** London  
**Time Type:** Part time  
**Contract:** 12 month Fixed Term Contract to cover maternity leave from October 2026  
**Work Arrangement:** Hybrid working based in London office on Arthur Street with flexibility for four or five-day working patterns

### Role Overview

We're looking for an interim Payroll & Reward Manager to take the lead in effectively managing the full payroll lifecycle, including the third party payroll provider, accounting, pensions and benefits across our operations and corporate business areas. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a critical people function, ensuring colleagues are paid accurately, supported effectively and receive a market-leading benefits experience.

### Key Responsibilities

- Oversee the full pay lifecycle and manage the annual salary and bonus reviews
- Ensure all pay and benefits activities are delivered accurately and comply with current legislation and tax requirements
- Act as the trusted subject matter expert for payroll, pensions and reward, providing advice and guidance on policies and practices
- Maintain a fair, compliant and equitable approach to pay and benefits across the organisation
- Provide regular and ad-hoc reporting to support the wider HR team, Finance, and key stakeholders in Senior Management and Board meetings
- Contribute to the development of automated employee and manager services related to payroll and benefits
- Work collaboratively with other departments to provide an effective and efficient service
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance the employee experience

### Required Qualifications & Experience

- Significant experience managing payroll within a large/complex operational organisation
- Experience using HR systems such as Workday, SAP or Oracle and advanced Excel skills
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to work confidently with payroll and reward data
- Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pensions and employee benefits
- Experience managing third-party payroll providers and service delivery
- Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- A collaborative mindset with a passion for delivering outstanding service and continuous improvement

### Compensation & Benefits

- Competitive salary and benefits package
- 29 days holiday
- Excellent transport links from Cannon Street, Monument, Bank and London Bridge stations

**Please note in your application whether you are seeking a four or five-day working week.**

CHRO at UPP Ltd

Kelly Stafford

Chief Human Resources Officer

HR Operations Manager at UPP

Victoria Tonkin

HR Operations Manager

Head of Talent Acquisition at UPP

Laura Andrews

Head of Talent Acquisition

HR Systems Manager

Head of HR - Residential Services

Interim Payroll & Reward Manager

Stakeholder Management

Compensation & Benefits

Payroll

The UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure.

We have over 36,000 rooms in operation or under construction through long-term, bespoke partnerships with 15 world-leading universities.

With approximately 1,000 employees, since 1998 we have invested over £3bn in the UK higher education sector and provided homes to over 400,000 students.

UPP, the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential and academic accommodation infrastructure

UPP are committed to creating exceptional places for students to live and learn. As the UK's leading provider of on-campus accommodation and infrastructure, we know that great colleague experiences start with getting the fundamentals right.

**We're looking for an interim** **Payroll & Reward Manager** to take the lead in effectively managing the full payroll lifecycle, including the third party payroll provider, accounting, pensions and benefits across our operations and corporate business areas. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a critical people function, ensuring our colleagues are paid accurately, supported effectively and receive a market-leading benefits experience.

Overseeing the full pay lifecycle is an important part of the role. You’ll manage the annual salary and bonus reviews, ensuring all pay and benefits activities are delivered accurately and ensure they comply with current legislation and tax requirements. You’ll be the trusted subject matter expert for payroll, pensions and reward, providing advice and guidance on policies and practices while helping to maintain a fair, compliant and equitable approach to pay and benefits across the organisation.

You will provide regular and ad-hoc reporting to support the wider HR team, Finance, and key stakeholders in Senior Management and Board meetings. Contributing to the development of automated employee and manager services related to payroll and benefits, working closely and collaboratively with other departments to provide an effective and efficient service, plus drive continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance the employee experience.

**This is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract role** **to cover maternity leave from October 2026** and will be based in our award-winning London office on Arthur Street, with hybrid working and excellent transport links from Cannon Street, Monument, Bank and London Bridge stations. We are open to considering both four and five-day working patterns, with flexibility dependent on experience and the needs of the role.

**We're looking for you** to be an experienced payroll and reward professional who combines technical expertise with a proactive, customer-focused approach, along with:

- Significant experience managing payroll within a large/complex operational organisation.
- Experience using HR systems such as Workday, SAP or Oracle and have advanced Excel skills.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to work confidently with payroll and reward data.
- Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pensions and employee benefits.
- Experience managing third-party payroll providers and service delivery.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- A collaborative mindset with a passion for delivering outstanding service continuous improvement.

You’ll be part of a passionate and supportive team where your expertise will have a direct impact on the employee experience. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including 29 days holiday, and the chance to contribute to a business with a strong purpose and long-term vision.

UPP welcome all applications and recognise the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities we work with and has a positive impact on our people, our student residents, and our university partners.

We understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments which would support you through our recruitment process and also help you to thrive at work.

Our core values of Innovation, Sustainability, Community, Partnership and Respect, are fundamental to our culture and summarise what is important to our business and our people.

**If you're looking to bring your payroll and benefits expertise to a business where your contribution will make a real difference, apply today and our in-house recruitment team will be in touch.**

**Please note in your application whether you are seeking a four or five-day working week.**

London

Interim role managing payroll and rewards, covering maternity leave for 12 months with hybrid work in London.

UPP

Jobs

Interim Payroll & Reward Manager

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