Full job descriptionPayroll Manager (FTC)

£80,000 to £90,000
12 Month Fixed Term Contract
London | Hybrid Working


An established, high profile professional services business is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead its UK payroll function on a 12 month fixed term contract.
This is a senior position with responsibility for overseeing a complex, high volume payroll operation, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, while maintaining robust controls, compliance and operational efficiency.


The Role:Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you will take full ownership of the end to end UK monthly payroll, leading a team of five payroll specialists and working closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, HR, Reward and IT.
Key responsibilities include:
*Managing the end to end UK monthly payroll for over 3,000 employees across seven pay groups, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
*Leading monthly payroll reconciliations, validation checks, exception reporting and payment processes.
*Ensuring compliance with payroll legislation, tax regulations, pension requirements and internal policies.
*Managing payroll controls, governance, audit requirements and statutory reporting.
*Overseeing pension auto enrolment, statutory deductions, bonus payments and annual remuneration reviews.
*Acting as the business lead for payroll systems, including SAP and Workday, ensuring effective utilisation and compliant processes.
*Driving process improvement, automation and reporting enhancements to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.
*Managing relationships with external providers, software vendors and internal stakeholders.
*Leading, developing and supporting the payroll team, ensuring deadlines and service standards are consistently met.


About You:You will have significant experience managing end to end payroll within a medium to large corporate environment, ideally within a complex, multi stakeholder organisation.
You will also demonstrate:
*Strong practical experience with SAP Payroll and Workday, or equivalent enterprise payroll and HR systems.
*A thorough understanding of UK payroll legislation, taxation, pensions, benefits and compliance.
*Experience leading payroll transformation, system implementation or process improvement initiatives.
*Proven ability to manage and develop a payroll team.
*Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and communicate effectively at senior level.
*Excellent analytical skills, with a strong focus on accuracy, controls and continuous improvement.
*A current CIPP qualification or equivalent professional payroll qualification.


What’s on Offer:*Salary of £80,000 to £90,000.
*12 month fixed term contract.
*Senior payroll leadership role within a large, established business.
*Opportunity to lead a sizeable payroll operation and drive process and systems improvements.
*Hybrid working, with dynamic working arrangements available.