Payroll Compliance Lead – HMRC (Grade 7)

HMRC is seeking a high-level Payroll Compliance Lead to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for our Large Business (LB) directorate. This is a critical technical leadership role where you will influence the national strategy for Payroll and Real Time Information (RTI) risks. You will be at the forefront of identifying compliance gaps in the UK’s largest employers, shaping legislative improvements, and building technical capability across the organization. If you are a qualified tax or payroll professional with a deep understanding of complex, high-volume payroll systems, this is a unique opportunity to lead work with a massive national impact.

About the Role

Reporting to the LB Employer Duties National Regime Lead, you will drive the national compliance strategy for Payroll/RTI. This isn’t just about oversight; you will design complex compliance projects, interpret sophisticated legal behaviors, and provide expert technical advice on advanced scenarios like globally mobile employees, TUPE transfers, and IR35. Operating in a hybrid working model (60% office-based), you will collaborate with Policy, Legal, and Digital teams to ensure that the UK’s largest businesses meet their obligations. This role offers high visibility across the Customer Compliance Group (CCG) and the opportunity to represent HMRC’s position to senior external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the national strategy for managing Payroll/RTI risks across the Large Business population.
Technical Expert Advice: Act as the go-to authority for Employment Duties colleagues on complex payroll issues, including termination payments and share-based remuneration.
Risk Identification: Use data-driven insights to spot non-compliance patterns and determine the most effective interventions.
Capability Building: Mentor and upskill tax specialists and internal teams, fostering a culture of continuous technical improvement.
Stakeholder Influence: Represent LB’s interests in cross-HMRC forums and influence the direction of future tax policy and legislation.
Global Mobility Oversight: Manage complex cross-border payroll issues, including s690 directions and various RTI-linked appendices (4 through 8).

Essential Criteria & Qualifications

Mandatory Qualifications: You must be a qualified Tax or Payroll professional holding one or more of the following:

CIOT: Chartered Tax Adviser or Advanced Diploma in International Taxation.
CCAB Membership: ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA, or CIMA.
Payroll Specific: CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) or Institute of British Payroll Management.
Legal: Post-graduate full legal qualification in taxation matters.
HMRC Internal: Successful completion of TSP (or predecessor) at G7 level.

Experience Required:

High-Volume Systems: Proven experience delivering payroll/RTI for organizations with 1,000+ employees.
Technical Complexity: Hands-on experience with advanced scenarios (TUPE, IR35, Benefits in Kind, Modified Payrolls).
Audit & Review: Strong background in conducting payroll audits and identifying systemic tax risks.
Leadership: Excellent ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex technical concepts clearly.

Benefits

Salary & Pension: A starting salary of £58,541, plus an extraordinary employer pension contribution of £16,959 (approx. 28.97%).
Leave: 25 days initial annual leave, rising to 30 days based on service, plus public holidays.
Hybrid Working: Enjoy the balance of office-based community and home-working flexibility.
Development: Access to top-tier coaching, professional development, and family-friendly policies.

To apply for this job please visit uk.linkedin.com.