ITN is one of the UK’s leading independent content production companies, trusted for over 70 years to tell the world’s most important stories. From BAFTA- and Emmy-winning journalism and impactful factual content to creative entertainment and branded storytelling, ITN brings truth and innovation to every platform. Making over 70 hours of live programmes a week and reaching 1 billion digital views a month, we are a content powerhouse that has an ambition to keep growing, with audiences across the UK and around the world.
Our people are at the heart of our success. With a reputation built on integrity and creativity, ITN continues to evolve with an ambitious growth strategy — investing in new technology, premium content, and future talent. We’re proud to foster an inclusive, collaborative culture where everyone can thrive and help shape the next chapter of ITN’s story.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer where everyone’s contribution matters. We’re committed to building a culture that reflects the audiences we serve — one where people feel included, supported, and inspired to do their best work.
How We Work
At ITN, how we work is as important as what we do. Our values describe what you can expect when you work here — and what ITN expects of you.
Ambition – We set bold goals, take ownership, and keep learning. We look for new opportunities and better ways to make an impact.
Courage – We speak up with honesty and respect, challenge ideas constructively, and value open, direct communication.
Team – We collaborate, celebrate others’ successes, and make sure every voice is heard. We put the team’s success first.
We also recognise the importance of balance and wellbeing, so we welcome flexible working, part-time roles and job shares across all areas of ITN.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Interim Payroll Specialist to support the development and improvement of ITN's payroll and freelance functions.
Supporting 1600 individuals comprising of; employees, freelancers and contractors in the UK, US and China, this role will focus on reviewing existing processes, identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting the implementation of changes across payroll, freelance payments, financial controls, systems and compliance. You will also be required to support the existing payroll team in the execution of their day to day activities and provide cover as directed.
Working closely with the Payroll Manager and collaborating with Finance, HR, Procurement, Tax, Legal and external suppliers, the successful candidate will play an important role in delivering operational improvements, strengthening controls and developing a more efficient and effective payroll operating model.
Success in this role means delivering agreed payroll and freelance improvements, strengthening financial controls, establishing clear and documented processes, and supporting continuity of day-to-day operations.
Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery and Process Improvement
- Support the Payroll Manager in delivering agreed payroll and freelance improvement initiatives
- Review existing processes, identify inefficiencies and control weaknesses, and recommend improvements
- Document and develop improved processes, procedures and workflows
- Coordinate implementation activities, including requirements gathering, testing, monitoring and communication
- Track project progress, actions and outstanding issues, escalating risks where appropriate
- Work with the Payroll Manager and Head of Financial Compliance on actions arising from the recent KPMG review
Payroll, Benefits and Compliance
- Support reviews of taxable benefits and expenses, ensuring completeness, appropriate tax treatment and reporting
- Assist with preparations for the transition to real-time payrolling of benefits
- Review taxi arrangements and processes, including account management, employee eligibility, tax treatment and payroll deductions
- Support reviews of freelancer arrangements and associated compliance processes
- Assist with improvements to pension administration, including enrolments, recommencements and scheme changes
Freelance Operations and Financial Controls
- Review and improve the end-to-end freelance process, including workflows between Freelance, Accounts Payable and other departments
- Improve freelancer data management, reconciliations and payment processes across relevant systems
- Support the payroll and freelance balance sheets and the development of regular monthly reconciliations
- Review payroll journals and reporting processes, identifying opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency and automation
- Investigate discrepancies and support the implementation of corrective actions
Systems and Operational Efficiency
- Work with SD Worx and other external providers to identify and implement system and process improvements
- Review system functionality, reporting capabilities and opportunities for automation
- Coordinate system changes, testing and implementation
- Identify opportunities to reduce manual processing, simplify payslips and improve employee and freelancer self-service
- Maintain appropriate process documentation and supporting controls
Stakeholder Management and Communication
- Work collaboratively with Payroll, Finance, HR, Procurement, Tax, Legal and external suppliers to deliver agreed improvements
- Coordinate meetings, gather requirements and communicate progress to relevant stakeholders
- Prepare project updates, process documentation and management information for the Payroll Manager
- Support employee communications, guidance and training where processes change
- You will also be required to support the existing payroll team in the execution of their day to day activities and provide cover as directed
- Provide a clear handover to the Payroll Manager and relevant team members, covering implemented changes, supporting documentation, outstanding actions and ongoing responsibilities
These are the main requirements of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. It is intended to reflect the nature, range, and context of the work, which will change over time.
Key Requirements
- Proven experience in a payroll, freelance or payroll project-related role
- Strong technical understanding of UK payroll, PAYE, NIC and employment tax
- Good working knowledge of taxable benefits, expenses, P11Ds and PSA
- Understanding of freelance payments, contractor arrangements and IR35
- Experience reviewing and improving operational processes
- Good understanding of payroll reconciliations, journals and financial controls
- Experience working with payroll systems and external providers; SD Worx experience advantageous
- Strong Excel, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent organisational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- High attention to detail and a proactive, adaptable approach
- Ability to work independently, take ownership of agreed actions and see improvements through to completion
Our people are at the heart of everything we do at ITN. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process will be offered, if required, due to a disability or health condition. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application, or at any stage throughout the process, if this is something you want to explore.
#J-18808-Ljbffr