Junior Payroll Assistant

Mission of the role

Outcome 1: UK Payroll Knowledge & Process Proficiency

Outcome 2: Accurate & Compliant Payroll Processing

Outcome 3: Client Service & Responsiveness

Outcome 4: Team Collaboration & Process Improvement

Must-have experience

• Minimum 1–2 years of hands-on UK payroll processing experience .
• Experience working in a bureau, outsourced payroll environment, or shared services centre is preferred.
• Experience managing multiple client payroll accounts is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of UK payroll processes, HMRC requirements, tax regulations, and workplace pension processes.
• Experience with payroll software such as BrightPay, Xero Payroll, or similar is an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail and experience working with sensitive and confidential financial information.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Comfortable working with data and payroll-related reporting and metrics.
• Practical experience or strong interest in using AI tools, automation, and IT applications to improve daily workflows.

Must-have attributes

• Ownership & Accountability: Takes full responsibility for assigned payrolls and client accounts, follows through on tasks without constant supervision, and proactively resolves issues or roadblocks.
• Humility: Open to feedback, willing to learn, and comfortable acknowledging knowledge gaps and seeking support when required.
• Structured Thinking: Able to organise multiple client payrolls, deadlines, queries, and tasks in a clear and logical manner, while using sound judgement to prioritise competing requirements.
• Data Driven & Attention to Detail: Comfortable working with numbers and payroll data, with a strong focus on accuracy. Able to identify discrepancies, missing information, or inconsistencies before they impact payroll processing or clients.
• Can Have Tough Conversations in a Positive Way: Able to communicate clearly and professionally when dealing with sensitive payroll issues, missing information, delays, or difficult client situations while maintaining a constructive client relationship.
• AI & Tech Savvy: Energetic about adopting new software, AI tools, automation, and technology to make payroll processes more efficient and effective.
• Behavioural fit is also important at Sleek, and we will be looking for candidates that have a proven track record of embodying the below attributes in their recent roles:
• We will be looking for candidates who have a proven track record of embodying the below attributes in their recent roles:
• Ownership: This shows reliability and helps build trust within the team. We move fast and need to know that everyone will see things through to completion and proactively help to get things back on track when challenges arise. Accountability is really important to us.
• Humility: There is so much we don't know. Humility allows for open-mindedness to feedback and a willingness to learn from others. It paves the way for collaboration and creates a positive work environment. It is a key ingredient of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Structured Thinking: Our business is complex with many layers (many services, many countries, many cultures). Regardless of whether you're more analytical or creative in nature, being able to show sound judgement is important to us. It ensures solutions are pragmatic and balance the needs of the organisation, team and customers.
• Attention to detail: You'll be managing multiple client payrolls, deadlines, queries, and workstreams. It will be important for you to keep track of everything and notice when information is missing, inconsistent, or likely to cause an issue.
• Excellent listener and clear communicator: We have a variety of nationalities and for many people, English isn't their first language. For you to excel, you'll need to be present in your calls and make sure you properly receive and thoughtfully send messages to others in the business.

The interview process

Soft Skills Round

• A 30-minute chat with a member of the leadership team to evaluate real-world work scenarios against our core behavioural values, including ownership, humility, structured thinking, communication, and ability to handle challenging situations.
• Reference Verification: Prior to final offer confirmation, we will conduct one professional reference check with your recent direct manager or supervisor. To keep the process moving smoothly, this step may be initiated during the final interview stages.

Requirement for background screening

• Please be aware that Sleek is a regulated entity and as such is required to perform different levels of background checks on staff depending on their role. This may include using external vendors to verify:
• Your education
• Any criminal history
• Any political exposure
• Any bankruptcy or adverse credit history
• We will ask for your consent before conducting these checks. Depending on your role at Sleek, an adverse result on one of these checks may prohibit you from passing probation.
• By submitting a job application, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Data Privacy Statement for Candidates, found at Sleek.com.

Benefits

• Some other great things about working at Sleek…
• Humility and kindness: Humility is a core attribute we hire for, which means we have a culture of not taking ourselves too seriously and being able to laugh. Kindness is also incredibly important. We are committed to creating and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Flexibility: You’ll be able to work remotely. If you need to start early or start late to cater to your family or other needs, we don’t mind, so long as you get your work done and proactively communicate. You can also work fully remote from anywhere in the world for 1 month each year

Financial benefits

• We pay competitive market salaries and provide staff with generous paid time off and holiday schedules. Certain staff at Sleek are also eligible for our employee share ownership plan and can share in the upside of our stellar growth trajectory as we work toward listing on a prominent stock exchange in the Asia Pacific region.
• Personal growth: You’ll get a lot of responsibility and autonomy at Sleek - we move at a fast pace so you’ll be making decisions, making mistakes and learning. There’s also a range of internal and external facing training programmes we run. We’re also at the forefront of utilising AI in our space and are developing a regional centre of AI excellence. It is our intention that if you leave Sleek, you leave as a more well-rounded person and professional.
• Sleek is also a proudly certified B Corp. Since we started our journey in 2017, we’ve been committed to building Sleek as a force for good. In just over 5 years, we’ve joined a community of industry leaders like Patagonia, Ben & Jerry's, and P&G who are building an inclusive, equitable, and a regenerative economy.