HR, Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Eque2 is a leading provider of industry-specific cloud software solutions for the construction, contracting and housebuilding sectors. With over 25 years of experience and more than 3,000 customers across the UK and Ireland, we support businesses of all sizes, from growing contractors to large enterprise organisations.

Our software solutions cover the full project lifecycle, including construction accounting, commercial management, estimating, maintenance and housebuilding systems. Built on trusted platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Sage and Xero, Eque2 empowers customers with real-time insight, control and confidence to deliver projects on time, on budget and with improved margins.

As an employer, Eque2 is proud to foster a supportive, collaborative and forward-thinking culture. We value respect, creativity and personal development, offering opportunities to grow your skills while working on meaningful, industry-leading solutions. Recognised as a Great Place to Work, we provide a flexible and inclusive environment where people are encouraged to thrive.

We are looking for a dedicated individual to join our HR team who is passionate about people and delivering an excellent employee experience.

Role Purpose

The HR, Payroll & Benefits Administrator plays a key role in delivering a professional and efficient HR support service across the organisation, with responsibility for HR administration, employee benefits, and Health & Safety coordination, alongside payroll administration. The role supports compliance with UK employment legislation and Health & Safety requirements, ensures the effective administration of employee benefits, and contributes to the smooth running of day-to-day HR operations, while also ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong knowledge of HR administration, employee benefits, and Health & Safety practices within a UK regulatory environment, together with a sound understanding of UK payroll legislation and processes. They will possess excellent organisational, analytical, and communication skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

HR Administration & Health & Safety

• Act as first point of contact for HR-related queries.

• Manage end-to-end HR administration (onboarding, contracts, changes, leavers).

• Manage end-to-end recruitment administration, including the preparation of offer letters, onboarding documentation, and the completion of pre-employment and right-to-work checks in line with company procedures and compliance requirements.

• Maintain accurate employee records on HR systems.

• Ensure HR processes comply with employment law and internal policies.

• Coordinate day-to-day Health & Safety administration, including maintaining policies, risk assessments, training records, and supporting audits and incident reporting.

• Assist with HR reporting and data analysis.

• Carry out any other duties reasonably required within the scope of the role.

Reporting, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with internal reporting standards and external statutory requirements (HMRC, ONS, pensions, etc).

• Support audit processes through accurate and timely data provision, maintaining comprehensive audit trails.

• Track and report sickness absence data, ensuring alignment with company policy and regulatory obligations.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of reward and recognition initiatives.

• Identify opportunities to enhance payroll, benefits, and HR processes for efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience.

Payroll Processing

• Serve as the main point of contact for employee payroll queries, providing timely and professional support.

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with HMRC regulations.

• Collaborate with HR and Finance teams to ensure accurate employee records and payroll inputs (new hires, salary changes, deductions, pensions, terminations, bonuses, and leave).

• Support monthly processes such as P11D reporting, benefit renewals, and audits.

• Engage with key stakeholders to review and confirm payroll reports prior to submission.

• Coordinate annual year-end processes including benefits renewals and audits, communicating deadlines clearly to employees.

• Maintain payroll and benefits data within HR and payroll systems, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity

• Stay up to date with changes in payroll legislation and benefits best practices, recommending process improvements

Benefits Administration

• Act as primary liaison with external benefit providers to support employee claims, manage eligibility, and coordinate renewals.

• Oversee the administration and optimisation of company benefit programmes, including pensions, private medical insurance, life assurance, employee wellbeing platforms and other company offerings.

• Ensure integrity of benefits data and manage timely employee enrolments, amendments, and terminations.

• Assist with researching employee benefit trends and benchmarking against industry standards.

Skills & Experience Required

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in payroll and benefits administration, ideally in fast-paced or PE-backed environment.

• Proficiency in payroll systems and HR software, with advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables).

• Solid understanding of UK payroll legislation, pensions auto-enrolment, and benefits governance.

• Experience of administering employee benefits programmes (pensions, medical insurance, life assurance, flexible benefits).

• Strong HR administration experience, including onboarding, contracts, and employee lifecycle management.

• Strong analytical, organisational, and attention-to-detail skills.

• High level of professionalism and ability to handle confidential information responsibly.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management

• Payroll certification (Foundation or higher).

Desirable

• NEBOSH General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely, or similar Health & Safety qualification (or willingness to work towards).

What we offer

• A supportive, inclusive workplace certified as a “Great Place to Work”.

• Competitive pay and a generous benefits package including pension, private healthcare contribution, enhanced family leave and flexible working options.

• Opportunities for learning and professional development within a growing company.

• Office location: Maidenhead with hybrid working arrangements after passing probation.

Eque2 is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of background. If you are detail-oriented, personable and motivated to deliver excellent HR, payroll and benefits administration, we would like to hear from you.