Richemont Senior Payroll and Benefits Officer

About Richemont

Richemont is one of the world’s foremost luxury groups, stewarding a distinguished portfolio of maisons across jewellery, watchmaking, fashion and accessories, including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Montblanc. As an employer, it combines the heritage of artisanal excellence with a forward-looking culture shaped by innovation, client-centricity and responsible business. Its global teams operate in an environment that values craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and collaboration, offering opportunities to grow within iconic maisons and group functions alike. Richemont attracts professionals who aspire to contribute to enduring luxury, preserving rare savoir-faire while helping define the future of high craftsmanship.

Role & Responsibilities

• Own and provide expert guidance on accurate, timely and compliant monthly payroll processing across 12 UK payrolls covering more than 1,500 employees.
• Liaise with HR and relevant departments to obtain and validate information promptly, ensuring payroll compliance with legislative and audit requirements.
• Oversee and validate Workday-integrated changes, including starters, leavers and job changes, and ensure accurate payroll and payslip simulations.
• Process complex payroll elements accurately and compliantly, including unpaid sickness and absences, maternity and paternity, variable cash and hours payments, and benefits.
• Maintain data integrity across payroll operations, UK benefits, systems and tools; ensure Workday data integrates correctly with SAP HR and that information recorded outside Workday is accurate and up to date.
• Oversee and validate system changes, ensuring they are communicated and confirmed to employees, managers and providers.
• Monitor and log upcoming events, coordinating timely action, follow-up reviews and planning.
• Monitor and interpret legislative changes affecting payroll and benefits, advise on their impact, and support implementation of adjustments with HR.
• Manage monthly reporting to benefit providers, including joiners, leavers and benefit amendments, and lead annual renewal processes.
• Support end-to-end processing of complex payroll elements and oversee accurate, timely processing of all monthly payrolls.
• Advise and support employees on complex pay, benefits, tax and National Insurance queries, using resources such as the intranet and Payroll FAQs.
• Undertake ad hoc projects and duties supporting HRIS/Payroll, HR and Finance, including strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Exceptional time-management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities autonomously and meet stringent deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a strong commitment to data integrity and accuracy.
• Expert understanding and practical application of UK PAYE legislation, statutory compliance, HMRC regulations and Group guidelines.
• Collaborative team player able to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and mentor junior team members.
• Ability to identify, propose and support continuous process improvements and efficiencies in payroll and benefits.
• Extensive HRIS experience; SAP HR and Workday are highly preferred.
• Comprehensive expert technical knowledge of UK payroll processes, legislation—including statutory compliance, taxation and financial reporting—and benefits administration.
• Extensive experience managing auto-enrolment pension processes and comprehensive benefits administration, including annual renewals and provider liaison.
• Strong commercial acumen and a strategic focus on adding value to Payroll and HR through efficient, compliant operations.
• Proactive, analytical problem-solver able to resolve complex payroll and benefits issues independently and make sound recommendations.
• Numerate and logical, with strong analytical and workflow/process skills and the ability to explain ideas clearly to less numerate audiences.
• Able to communicate complex financial and legislative information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative and astute, with a strong understanding of organisational dynamics and the ability to foster cross-functional collaboration.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all organisational levels and with external stakeholders.
• At least 5–7 years of progressive experience in UK payroll and benefits, preferably in a large, multi-brand or retail environment.
• Advanced Excel proficiency for complex data analysis, reporting and modelling.

Skills

Experience

At least 5–7 years of progressive experience in UK payroll and benefits, preferably in a large, multi-brand or retail environment.

Culture

Richemont fosters a refined, international workplace where its Maisons preserve exceptional craftsmanship while benefiting from the strength and perspective of a global luxury group. As an employer, it values long-term stewardship, collaboration, innovation, and the development of talent within an environment shaped by heritage, creativity, and high standards.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.