AALTO, a global leader in Stratospace. Based in Farnborough, AALTO is an Airbus subsidiary that manufactures, operates, and delivers services with its solar-powered, stratospheric platform: Zephyr.

Zephyr’s persistence enables continuous flight for months at a time. Its current flight-time record of over 67 days in the stratosphere. From above 60,000+ft, or 20km above ground, AALTO can deliver several applications including direct-to-device connectivity and high-resolution Earth observation.

AALTO operates in a new operational layer between most of air traffic and low-Earth orbit, Stratospace. This is where high-altitude platforms led by Zephyr deliver services to commercial and government partners. We can help monitor environments, observe borders, track natural disasters and connect unconnected communities.

Join us as we create a new domain of aerospace: Stratospace. You’ll be part of a highly-skilled, innovative and passionate group of people – Team AALTO. Together, we can Unlock Stratospace.

About The Role

Take ownership of a critical global process at the heart of our employee experience. We’re looking for an accomplished and detail-focused Senior Payroll Specialist to help deliver accurate, timely and compliant payroll across multiple jurisdictions. This is an exciting opportunity for a payroll professional with strong end-to-end expertise, international payroll exposure and a sound understanding of UK payroll legislation and employment taxes.

Working in close partnership with our outsourced payroll provider, you’ll be the trusted specialist who safeguards accuracy, strengthens compliance and helps every colleague feel supported. As our international workforce grows, you’ll also have the opportunity to shape smarter processes, build effective partnerships and make a visible impact across the business.

Responsibilities to include:

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for the UK and support payroll operations across multiple international locations.

• Act as the primary day-to-day contact for our outsourced payroll provider, ensuring payrolls are delivered accurately, compliantly and on time.

• Prepare, validate and submit payroll inputs including salary changes, allowances, overtime, shift premiums, bonuses, benefits and statutory payments.

• Review payroll outputs and reports, identifying and resolving discrepancies prior to payroll sign-off.

• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments and employment tax requirements.

• Support payroll compliance activities across international jurisdictions, working with local providers and internal stakeholders as required.

• Respond to employee payroll queries in a timely, professional and customer-focused manner.

• Perform payroll reconciliations and support month-end and year-end payroll activities.

• Maintain payroll records and documentation in accordance with company policies and statutory requirements.

• Partner with People & Culture, Finance and external providers to ensure employee and payroll data is accurate and up to date.

• Support audits, reporting requirements and statutory filings.

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls and employee experience.

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and support implementation of relevant changes.

Skills and Knowledge Required

• Significant hands-on payroll experience with responsibility for end-to-end payroll administration and processing.

• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.

• Experience supporting payroll activities across multiple countries and jurisdictions.

• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation and employment taxes, including PAYE and National Insurance.

• Ability to review and validate payroll calculations and identify anomalies.

• Strong understanding of payroll controls, reconciliations and compliance requirements.

• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

• Advanced Excel skills, including data reconciliation and analysis.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate and timely payroll delivery across all assigned countries.

• Strong and effective management of the relationship with payroll partners.

• High levels of payroll compliance and data accuracy.

• Positive employee experience and timely query resolution.

• Ongoing improvement of payroll processes, controls and reporting.

In addition to an attractive market-aligned salary, we offer:

Rewarding Excellence: Benefit from our short-term incentive plan that rewards your hard work and dedication.

Enjoy Your Time Off: Benefit from 25 days of holiday to relax and recharge.

Stay Healthy: We’ve got your health covered with private medical insurance, along with dental and optical cash back.

Secure Your Future: Take advantage of our personal pension plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.

Peace of Mind: Our income protection and life assurance schemes are there to support you when you need it most.

Getting around: Drive the latest vehicles with our discounted salary sacrifice scheme.

We Care About You: Our employee assistance programme is always available to provide the support you need.

Perks Galore: Enjoy a range of employee discounts via Perkbox, from household goods to travel!

Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at AALTO, you can register your details here: https://careers.aaltohaps.com/connect