Requirements
The ideal candidate possesses significant payroll experience with a strong grasp of legislation, controls, and compliance requirements. They must demonstrate proven leadership abilities, strong analytical skills, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Job Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Payroll Manager to join our Payroll team. This is a key leadership role where you'll support the delivery of a best-in-class payroll service, ensuring compliance, accuracy and exceptional colleague experience. As the payroll subject matter expert, you'll play a leading role in payroll-related projects, support strategic change initiatives, and deputise for the Head of Payroll and Benefits when required.
At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.
For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, based at our Swindon office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here.
If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.
Responsibilities
What you’ll be doing
As Deputy Payroll Manager, you'll play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of payroll operations while supporting the wider strategic objectives of the function. You'll act as the subject matter expert for payroll, leading payroll-related projects and providing specialist guidance on complex queries, compliance requirements and legislative changes. Working closely with internal stakeholders across People, Finance and Tax, as well as external partners including HMRC, auditors and third-party providers, you'll help ensure the payroll service remains accurate, compliant and continually evolving. You'll oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, controls and audit activity, while supporting system enhancements, business continuity planning and change initiatives. In addition, you'll lead and develop a team of Payroll Specialists, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and exceptional service, whilst deputising for the Head of Payroll and Benefits when required.
About you
We're looking for an experienced payroll professional who combines technical expertise with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills. You'll be comfortable operating in a regulated environment and confident navigating complex challenges.
You'll bring:
- Significant payroll experience, including a strong understanding of payroll legislation, controls and compliance requirements.
- Proven experience leading or developing teams and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide meaningful insight to support decision-making.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive, innovative mindset and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:
Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind
Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand
Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development
Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes
You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.
Qualifications
The extras you’ll get
There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:
25 days holiday, pro rata
Private medical insurance
A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
Access to an annual performance-related bonus
Training and development to help you progress your career
A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death
Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year
Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society
We forge our own path at Nationwide.
As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.
If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us.
At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.
We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.
What to do next
If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us.
We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.
Keeping your data and personal information confidential is important to us. To find out more about how we use and process your data, please read our Privacy policy.
If you want to find out more about using AI in our recruitment process, please read more here.
Disability Confident
We’re not just guided by data, we’re driven by the real experiences of our people. We’re a Disability Confident Level 3 Leader, the highest level.
That’s why we’re constantly evolving our policies and practices to make sure everyone feels genuinely supported, valued, and empowered to champion inclusion. Whatever your needs, we’re here to support you. If you need any additional support throughout your application journey, email our team at Recruitment Support.
Apply safely with Nationwide
Recruitment scams can look convincing, so take a moment to check the role is listed on our official careers site and read our guidance on Don’t be conned by a job scam.