Operations Support Consultant

Overview

The Operations Support Executive delivers efficient and compliant HR and payroll operations, providing administrative support across the People function, including UK payroll, global mobility payroll, and HR operations across the UK and multiple countries.

What you'll do

• Deliver standardised HR operational processes to achieve specific, measurable targets.
• Ensure MyHR updates are accurate, policy-compliant, and completed within defined timelines and controls.
• Maintain accurate employee data and documentation in MyHR and SharePoint.
• Carry out administrative duties arising from HR country legal requirements.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of cyclical activities while maintaining compliance with global policies and local regulations.
• Manage exceptions, clarify processes, and escalate recurring issues to the Lead People Operations & Payroll Manager.
• Ensure timely processing of invoices and purchase orders for HR-related vendor payments, including payroll vendor fees and third-party vendor fees.
• Complete payroll processes independently to ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll transactions.
• Check pre-payroll and payroll calculations, including manual adjustments and system-generated outputs.
• Maintain checklists and SOP documents for all workstreams to reflect current steps, responsibilities and timelines.
• Check and reconcile all necessary payroll reports.
• Handle all aspects of statutory leave, payments and deductions, including manual calculations of statutory payments and Tax/NI where required (SSP, SMP, SAP, ShPP, Parental Leave, Tax, NI and overpayments).
• Administer employee benefit schemes such as Child Voucher Scheme, Cycle to Work scheme, Smart Tech loans and Season Ticket loans.
• Handle third-party reporting and payments.
• Carry out month-end processing and reconciliations.
• Handle all payroll matters for UK employees on international assignments, ensuring correct pay and allowances at the appropriate time in line with British Council mobility policies and practices.
• Provide detailed specialist payroll instructions for UK employees on international assignments to internal and external payroll teams, including assignment allowances, hypothetical tax, hypothetical NIC and pension calculations.
• Perform post-payroll validation checks by reconciling payroll instructions, outputs and payslips to ensure changes are implemented correctly and employees receive correct net pay.
• Support bi-annual COLA reviews, annual location allowance and pay reviews, and exceptional allowance reviews, verifying vendor-applied rates and resolving discrepancies.
• Use knowledge of British Council HR and global mobility policies to advise business areas and colleagues on international assignments, including tax compliance matters.
• Partner with the MSP, Finance and other People Function teams to ensure smooth payroll execution and reporting.
• Collaborate with in-country teams, approvers and external vendors to resolve payroll issues.
• Maintain proactive communication with payroll service providers via scheduled monthly, quarterly and annual meetings.
• Partner with the external vendor for payroll and tax advice and compliance for UK employees on international assignments.
• Support cross-functional initiatives for payroll-related data accuracy and process alignment.
• Respond to payroll-related and HR operations queries from employees via case management systems (C4C), resolving complex issues such as tax queries and tax calculation checks.
• Investigate discrepancies, exceptions and one-off payments, ensuring timely resolution.
• Provide clear feedback to team members and pre-payroll teams on issues and improvements.
• Ensure compliance with local legislation, global policies and internal controls.
• Review and ensure timely submission of statutory reports, accruals and tax filings.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation, payroll records and reference files.
• Liaise with third parties, government and statutory bodies as required.
• Identify inefficiencies, recurring issues and process gaps, proposing corrective actions.
• Lead process automation, payroll transformation, digitalisation and system improvements.
• Share lessons learned from audits and reconciliations to enhance payroll service quality.
• Support review and implementation of SOPs, variance sheets and knowledge documentation.
• Participate in error calibration and feedback sessions with the MSP to prevent recurring issues.
• Communicate payroll deadlines, changes and issues proactively to stakeholders.
• Communicate with approvers and key personnel to ensure effective coordination and approval of payroll payments.
• Prepare and share payroll reports and journals for approval.
• Escalate risks or delays promptly to management.
• Maintain organised payroll documentation, reports and statutory returns, and archive or destroy records according to data protection policies.
• Support colleagues with workload, sharing knowledge and best practices, and promote adherence to payroll cut-off timelines.
• Participate in projects or activities beyond core payroll duties when required.

What you'll need

• Experience in HR operations in a shared service environment.
• Extensive UK payroll knowledge, with experience supporting payroll activities for international assignee roles overseas.
• Experience delivering payroll operations, processes and practices.
• Knowledge and experience of global mobility payroll operations, including tax, social security, payroll support, policy application and compliance.
• Strong understanding of HMRC processes and regulations affecting payroll, including Real Time Information processing, PAYE, National Insurance and rules regarding direct payment and benefits.
• Strong knowledge of current UK payroll-related legislation and employment laws.
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms (e.g., SAP SuccessFactors or equivalent).
• Experience maintaining or administering employee benefits and wider payroll administration processes.
• Highly proficient in Excel, with excellent numeracy and literacy skills.
• High level of customer service and ability to deal with people at all levels.
• Exceptional organisational skills, able to plan and prioritise work, deal with multiple demands, manage competing deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English.

Nice to have

• Expertise or experience of global payroll operations across several countries, including designing tools, processes and procedures.
• Experience working with an outsourced payroll vendor.
• Experience in continuous improvement or digital process automation.

Details

• Location: Noida, India.
• Employment type: Indefinite contract.
• Pay band: 6.
• Number of positions: 1.
• Applicants must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in India; no mobility, relocation or visa sponsorship support is provided.
• Hybrid working is supported, subject to line management approval and operational requirements, and can be explored at interview.
• Application deadline: 23 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST.
• Applications must be submitted in English only.
• Involvement in projects or activities outside the stated scope, and support of local compliance requirements, will be required.