Payroll Manager

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead the delivery of payroll, pensions, and benefits administration within a complex and fast-paced organisation. This is a key role responsible for ensuring accurate payroll processing, maintaining compliance with payroll legislation, managing pension obligations, and acting as the subject-matter expert for all payroll-related matters.

Working closely with HR, Finance, and payroll providers, you will drive continuous improvement across payroll processes while delivering an exceptional employee experience.

Duties include;

• Manage the end-to-end payroll function, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of monthly, weekly, and ad-hoc payrolls.
• Ensure compliance with all payroll legislation, HMRC regulations, statutory payments, and reporting requirements.
• Act as the subject-matter expert for payroll, pensions, tax, and benefits matters across the organisation.
• Manage and maintain payroll and HR systems, ensuring data integrity, accurate configuration, and continuous process improvement.
• Oversee pension administration, including auto-enrolment, monthly reconciliations, pension submissions, and liaison with pension providers.
• Review and authorise payroll calculations including starters, leavers, salary changes, overtime, bonuses, absence payments, deductions, and statutory payments.
• Reconcile payroll outputs, pension contributions, payroll journals, and third-party payments.
• Produce and submit statutory returns including P11Ds, PAYE, National Insurance, salary sacrifice arrangements, and year-end processes.
• Manage relationships with payroll providers, HMRC, pension administrators, and other external stakeholders.
• Investigate and resolve complex payroll queries, ensuring a high level of customer service for employees and managers.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve payroll policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring payroll records are accurate, compliant, and audit-ready.
• Produce payroll reports, management information, and data analysis to support business decision-making.
• Lead on payroll projects, system upgrades, implementations, and process improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with HR, Finance, and operational teams to ensure seamless employee life cycle processing and accurate payroll data.
• Manage payroll-related benefits administration, including salary sacrifice schemes, cycle-to-work programmes, and healthcare benefits.
• Ensure payroll deadlines are communicated effectively and adhered to across the organisation.
• Train, coach, and provide guidance to payroll and HR colleagues on payroll processes, legislation, and best practice.
• Identify and mitigate payroll risks, ensuring robust controls are in place to maintain accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.

You will have:

• Significant payroll and pensions management experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory payments, and compliance requirements.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.
• Proven experience using Midland iTrent or similar HR/Payroll systems.
• Strong reconciliation, reporting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex payroll queries.
• Superb stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A confidential, proactive, and customer-focused approach.

If you have all of the above and seeking a new challenge, then please apply now !

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