Payroll Administrator

About Avoca

Established in 1723, Avoca has grown from a historic weaving mill in the heart of County Wicklow into one of Ireland's most distinctive and best-loved lifestyle brands.

Today, Avoca operates a network of 13 customer-facing locations across Ireland and Northern Ireland, supported by our Head Office at The Pink Building, Central Stores distribution depot, and Central Bakery & Kitchen food manufacturing operation.

For over 300 years, creativity, craftsmanship and quality have been at the heart of everything we do. From beautifully curated retail spaces and award-winning cafés to artisan food markets, fashion, beauty, gifting and homeware collections, Avoca creates memorable experiences for customers every day.

While our heritage remains an important part of our story, our focus is firmly on the future. Our support teams play a vital role in enabling our locations and colleagues to deliver the quality, warmth and care associated with the Avoca brand.

Please note that Avoca does not provide visa, employment permit or work permit sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in Ireland at the time of application.

Role Details

JOB TITLE

Payroll Administrator

REPORTS TO

Payroll Manager

BUSINESS AREA

Payroll

LOCATION

Avoca Head Office, The Pink Building. Hybrid working: three days in the office and two days working from home, subject to business needs and company arrangements.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Permanent, full-time

DIRECT REPORTS

None

Role Purpose

The Payroll Administrator supports the accurate, timely and compliant preparation and processing of payroll activity across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The role provides a responsive service to colleagues and managers while maintaining strong controls, confidentiality and accurate payroll records.

CONTROL FRAMEWORK The Payroll Administrator prepares and processes assigned payroll activities. Final payroll review and approval remains the responsibility of the Payroll Manager.

What You'll Do

1. PAYROLL PREPARATION AND PROCESSING

·       Support the end-to-end preparation and processing of weekly, fortnightly, monthly and other payroll cycles as required by the business.

·       Collect, validate and process payroll inputs, including hours, overtime, absences, starters, leavers, contractual changes, deductions, benefits and approved adjustments.

·       Administer tips and service charge payments accurately and in line with agreed processes, and support future changes to payment structures where introduced.

·       Prepare payroll calculations, control reports, payment files and supporting documentation for review and approval by the Payroll Manager.

·       Maintain accurate employee payroll records and ensure changes are supported by appropriate authorisation and documentation.

2. STATUTORY COMPLIANCE AND CONTROLS

·       Support payroll compliance across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including PAYE, PRSI, USC and relevant UK payroll deductions and statutory requirements.

·       Assist with Revenue and HMRC submissions, reconciliations, reporting and year-end activities within agreed deadlines.

·       Process statutory and occupational payments, pension deductions, attachments, benefits and other payroll items accurately.

·       Complete payroll reconciliations and investigate variances, errors or missing information before payroll is finalised.

·       Follow segregation-of-duties, approval, data-retention, audit and internal-control requirements at all times.

3. SYSTEMS, DATA AND REPORTING

·       Use Sage Payroll and Kronos, together with other payroll, time-management and business systems, to maintain accurate data and support payroll delivery.

·       Produce regular and ad hoc payroll reports for the Payroll Manager and authorised stakeholders.

·       Support payroll system testing, upgrades, process changes and data-quality reviews.

·       Identify opportunities to simplify administration, strengthen controls and improve payroll accuracy or colleague experience.

4. COLLEAGUE SERVICE AND TEAM CONTRIBUTION

·       Respond to payroll queries professionally, accurately and within agreed service standards, escalating complex or sensitive matters where appropriate.

·       Work closely with People & Culture, Finance, site managers and other stakeholders to resolve payroll queries and obtain complete, timely information.

·       Handle personal and financial information with the highest level of confidentiality and in line with data-protection requirements.

·       Provide reliable cover and support across the payroll function during peak periods, leave and changing business priorities.

·       Undertake other reasonable duties that support accurate payroll delivery and the needs of the business.

What You'll Bring

ESSENTIA PREFERRED / DESIRABLE

• ·       At least one year of payroll administration experience.
• ·       Working knowledge of payroll calculations, deductions, statutory payments and payroll controls.
• ·       Excellent numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• ·       Ability to organise priorities and meet fixed deadlines in a busy environment.
• ·       Clear, professional communication and a strong colleague-service approach.
• ·       Discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential information.
• ·       Competence in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and confidence learning systems.
• ·       Collaborative, dependable and proactive working style.
• ·       IPASS, an equivalent payroll qualification, or actively working towards one.
• ·       Experience supporting payroll in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• ·       Experience using Sage Payroll and Kronos; comparable payroll and time-management systems will also be considered.
• ·       Experience within a multi-site retail, hospitality or similarly fast-paced organisation.
• ·       Knowledge of Revenue and HMRC payroll requirements and submissions.
• ·       Experience of payroll reconciliations, pensions, audits, tips and service charge administration.
• ·       Interest in process improvement, system development and payroll reporting.

Working Pattern and Flexibility

The normal working arrangement is hybrid, with three days based at Avoca Head Office, The Pink Building, and two days working from home. Working days and arrangements will be agreed with the Payroll Manager and remain subject to business needs and company policy.

Payroll deadlines require dependable availability during agreed working hours. Occasional flexibility may be needed around critical payroll deadlines, year-end processing, system changes or urgent payroll issues. This will be managed reasonably and does not replace the normal working arrangement.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

The role has access to sensitive personal, employment and financial information. The Payroll Administrator must maintain strict confidentiality, use information only for authorised purposes and comply with Avoca policies, data-protection requirements and access controls.

Measures of Success

·       Assigned payroll activities are completed accurately, on time and in line with the agreed payroll calendar.

·       Payroll inputs are complete, authorised and supported by clear records before final review.

·       Reconciliations and checks identify discrepancies early, with issues investigated and resolved or escalated promptly.

·       Revenue, HMRC, pension and other statutory requirements are supported within required deadlines.

·       Colleague and manager queries receive accurate, helpful and timely responses.

·       Payroll data is handled confidentially and all controls, approvals and audit requirements are followed.

·       Sage Payroll, Kronos and related systems are used accurately, with strong data quality maintained.

·       The role contributes practical improvements to payroll administration, reporting and service delivery.

Decision Authority and Accountability

·       Owns the accurate preparation and administration of assigned payroll tasks and records.

·       May investigate and correct routine discrepancies within agreed procedures and delegated access.

·       Escalates unusual, material, sensitive or unresolved payroll matters to the Payroll Manager.

·       Does not provide final payroll approval or authorise unapproved changes to pay, deductions or employee records.

Why Work With Us?

✓ Pension Scheme

✓ Continuous Professional Development

✓ Employee Assistance Programme

✓ Team Member Discount

✓ Subsidised Meals

✓ Family Friendly Policies

✓ Life Assurance Benefit

✓ Cycle to Work Scheme

✓ Health & Wellness Programmes

✓ Employee Referral Programme

Benefits are subject to eligibility, plan rules and local arrangements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Avoca is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to fair, inclusive and objective recruitment and to providing reasonable support throughout the recruitment process and employment.