Payroll Manager

This position takes full responsibility for delivering accurate and compliant payroll services across multiple payrolls, ensuring all employees are paid correctly and on time. This role requires someone confident in managing deadlines, leading a team, and driving continuous improvement within payroll systems and processes.

• Manage all aspects of the payroll function, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of multiple payrolls (weekly and monthly).
• Lead payroll audit and compliance processes, maintaining robust internal controls.
• Oversee calculations for salaries, overtime, bonuses, deductions, pensions, and statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, PAYE, NIC, and RTI reporting requirements.
• Supervise and develop a payroll team, providing training, feedback, and career development support.
• Act as the payroll subject matter expert across the business, advising managers and HR/Finance colleagues on payroll queries and compliance.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Produce management information, reports, and reconciliations as required.

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll operations in a large, multi-site organisation.
• Experience leading and developing a payroll team.
• Strong technical understanding of UK payroll legislation, tax regulations, and statutory compliance.
• CIPP qualification (or equivalent experience) preferred.
• Proficiency with payroll/HRIS systems such as Workday, Unit4, or iTrent.
• Advanced Excel skills, with the ability to perform data analysis and reconciliations.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and problem solving ability.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with colleagues at all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection in relation to payroll.