People Operations & Payroll Coordinator (US/EMEA)

SHREWSBURY, UK (Hybrid Working - 3 days in the office per week)

A benchmarked salary between £30,000 to £35,000. Your salary level is determined by skills and experience within our progression framework.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Croud is an independent global media, creative, and data agency helping our clients make their next best move. We help brands unlock growth with Return on Intelligence - applying innovative intelligence across brand strategy, integrated media, social, creative, and data. We deliver this through our proprietary tech platform, CroudOS, our Croudie network and our award-winning global teams.

Founded in 2011 to reinvent the agency model, Croud combines 600+ in-house digital experts with a global network of 2,900 on-demand marketing specialists. This unique business model enables us to operate with agility, delivering tailored solutions that drive meaningful and measurable growth for our clients in over 120 markets and 60+ languages.

Croud was recently named a Sunday Times Best Place to Work for the second year in a row, and was named Performance Marketing Employer of the Year by PMW

At Croud, we unlock potential by elevating our people, clients, and communities within a rapidly advancing and complex economy. We operate as a unique scaled network of Intelligent, Creative Specialists, enabling us to deliver superior brand outcomes and unlock potential for our people, our clients and our communities.

Our culture is strategically driven and inspired by a shared long-term vision. It is collaborative and connected, with a focus on continuous learning and mutual support.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The People Operations & Payroll Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day delivery of People Operations across Croud US and EMEA. This role will work closely with the Head of Compensation and Benefits and helps ensure a smooth and consistent employee experience throughout the employee lifecycle.

The role is responsible for maintaining accurate employee data and records, coordinating payroll and benefits inputs, supporting onboarding and offboarding processes, managing background checks and employment documentation, and responding to routine employee and manager queries. With a strong focus on accuracy, compliance, and service, the Coordinator helps keep People processes running efficiently and ensures employees receive timely and responsive support.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. HR Administration & People Operations

• Ticketing & Enquiries: Act as a primary agent for internal and external HR enquiries via the ticketing desk (Freshdesk), resolving routine questions and escalating complex issues to the People & Insights Advisor or People Partner’s as appropriate.

• Employee Lifecycle & People Partner Support: Partner closely with the People Partners to support the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding through employee changes, promotions, compensation updates, leave, and offboarding. Coordinate documentation, system updates, and key administrative processes to ensure a consistent and efficient employee experience.

• HR Operations & Compliance: Maintain accurate and compliant employee records, contracts, and documentation across Humaans and other People systems. Working with the People & Insights Advisor conduct regular audits and data checks to ensure information is complete, accurate, and audit-ready, while identifying and resolving any compliance gaps or discrepancies.

• Background Screening Support: Facilitate and monitor pre-employment background screening and Right to Work checks for all new joiners in partnership with third-party vendors.

• HR Programs & Initiatives: Support the People Team in planning and executing HR programs and initiatives from end to end. Coordinate timelines, stakeholders, communications, materials, and administrative requirements to help ensure programs are delivered effectively and successfully.

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve and streamline People processes, supporting People Partners and People Operations in developing scalable, efficient, and consistent ways of working across the business.

2. Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Monthly Payroll Processing: Coordinate the collection, review, and submission of payroll changes for employees, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, bonuses, commissions, PTO, leave, and other earnings or deductions across UK, US and Dubai regions. Ensure all inputs are accurate and submitted within required payroll deadlines.

• Payroll Liaison: Partner with the People Team, Finance, and third-party payroll provider to support accurate end-to-end payroll processing. Review payroll reports, validate employee changes, and reconcile discrepancies prior to payroll submission and approval.

• Benefits Administration: Manage day-to-day benefits enrolment, updates, and terminations (e.g., pensions, medical cover, ride-to-work, gym allowances, 401k, FSA/HSA) and assist employees with benefit queries.

• Payroll, Tax & Benefits Support: Act as the first point of contact for employee payroll queries . Support employees and HRBPs with routine payroll and benefits questions, including pay discrepancies, deductions, tax withholding updates, and benefits changes. Escalate complex payroll queries or compliance-related matters to the appropriate Head of Compensation and Benefits, Finance, or HR partner.

• Compliance & Reporting: Support payroll and benefits compliance by maintaining accurate records, completing regular audits and reconciliations, and providing required payroll and benefits reporting to internal stakeholders and external providers.

• Data Governance: Support the People Team in maintaining HR database integrity and compliance with UK GDPR standards.

• Monthly Reporting Support: Assist with pulling base operational data and preparing raw records for the monthly People Pack and executive reporting suites.

• Ad-hoc Projects: Participate in broader People Operations projects, process reviews, and system improvement initiatives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills & Experience

• Highly Organised: Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to see the bigger picture and understand how individual tasks impact the wider employee experience.

• Customer-Service Focused: Proactive, responsive and solutions-oriented, with a strong sense of urgency and commitment to delivering a great employee experience.

• Collaborative & Trustworthy: A strong team player who works effectively with others and handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

• Adaptable: Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic environments and able to manage competing priorities effectively.

• Confident Communicator: Comfortable building relationships and communicating confidently with employees, managers and stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.

• Manager Support & Coaching: Demonstrated ability to advise and support managers, providing practical guidance and coaching on people-related matters.

• HR Administration: Proven experience in a fast-paced HR Administration, People Operations or Payroll support role, with strong organisational and administrative skills.

• Payroll Knowledge: Practical understanding of UK payroll processes, including statutory payments such as SSP, SMP and SPP, tax codes and pension administration.

• HR Systems: Hands-on experience with modern HRIS and people systems (e.g. Humaans, BambooHR or similar), with confidence learning and navigating new technology.

• Data & Attention to Detail: Exceptional accuracy and thoroughness when maintaining employee records, contracts, payroll information and other sensitive financial or people data.

• Communication & Discretion: Clear, approachable and professional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong commitment to confidentiality and the appropriate handling of sensitive information.

COMPANY BENEFITS

Croud operates a hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days a week based in our Shrewsburyoffice and the remaining days from home if you wish.

Croud offers a clear path to progression for all members of staff. We are committed to offering development opportunities alongside a support system of regular performance reviews. The opportunities are endless!

On completion of the three-month probation period, every employee is eligible for the benefits listed on our careers site which include:

• Sabbatical: Paid sabbatical at 7 years with an option to take it unpaid at 5 years

• 25 days holiday a year

• Discretionary annual performance based incentive

• Sale commission

• Recruitment referrals bonus

• Health & Wellbeing contribution

• 2 Recharge Days each holiday year

• Ride to Work scheme

• Railcard

• Season Ticket loan

• Home office screen

• Daily office perks: Free fruit, breakfast cereals, snacks, and tea & coffee

• Weekly treat: Enjoy a complimentary lunch on us every week

• Enhanced Primary and Secondary family leave as well as extended Parental Leave and Shared Family Leave

• Life insurance and income protection

• Medical Cash Plan

• Pension

• Curated 3rd party learning platform as well as access to Croud Campus (our bespoke learning and development platform)

• Peer to peer recognition scheme 'bonusly'

• Team off-sites/regular socials

• Year-round holiday parties

• Flexible working options

• Day to make a difference

Standard hours are from 9.00am to 5.30pm, there’s flexibility if agreed in advance with your line managers (it may also be necessary on occasions to work outside of these hours).

Croud is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. All candidates will be assessed based on merit, qualifications and their ability to perform the requirements of the role.

Please note: Internal candidates may be considered for this position as part of the selection process, in line with our commitment to transparent and fair recruitment.

OUR VALUES

At Croud, our vision centres around the idea of unlocking potential. We do this by elevating everyone in an inclusive and progressive culture, empowering individuals to deliver their best work. This means we build better brand outcomes, and unlock potential for our people, our clients and our communities.

We live and breathe five core values that foster a culture where everyone can thrive. Our commitment to elevating each other is fundamental to both our cultural and business success. The ideal candidate will excel in and demonstrate the following:

• In it together - our value on integration, collaboration and outcomes

• Eye on the future - our value on futurism, creativity and passion

• Generous in spirit - our value on people, development and inclusion

• Do what you say - our value on integrity and accountability

• Make a difference - our value on purpose and impact