The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end payroll function for all UK employees.
This role will lead and continuously enhance UK payroll operations, taking full ownership of the end-to-end payroll lifecycle to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely delivery across all processes. Leveraging technical expertise and leadership capability to act as a trusted subject matter expert to all Stakeholders.
The position plays a critical role in maintaining payroll integrity, driving continuous improvement, ensuring legislative compliance, and delivering an excellent employee experience.
- Manage the full payroll cycle for approximately 3000 UK colleagues across 13 sites
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Third party management: Including HMRC, Pension Providers, Law Courts, Trade Unions, Voluntary bodies
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Key stakeholders include wider People Operations team (People Services and Systems & Reporting) and wider People team (Recruitment, Site HR teams and L&D, Finance, Audit, Grade 7 & 8’s
Payroll Operations
- Manage the full payroll cycle for:
- Weekly payroll (high-volume, shift-based workforce)
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Monthly payroll (salaried and management population)
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of wages, salaries, overtime, bonuses, and deductions
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Oversee payroll inputs including time worked, shift premiums, attendance data, and variable pay
- Perform payroll validation, reconciliation, and approval processes
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Review all payroll processing prior to BACS payments and statutory HMRC submission
- Final point of escalation for complex calculations/queries, finding resolution
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Administer and manage pension schemes ensuring compliance
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with HMRC regulations, statutory requirements, and UK employment legislation
- Manage statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, etc.) and deductions (tax, NI, pensions, AEOs)
- Oversee year-end processes including P60s, P11Ds, and submissions to HMRC
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll legislation and ensure changes are implemented effectively
- Lead internal and external audit processes related to payroll
Manage Payroll Software
- Manage and optimise payroll systems (e.g., ERP, time & attendance systems)
- Ensure integration between payroll, HR, and time-recording systems
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and automation
- Lead payroll-related projects (system upgrades, transformations, process redesign)
People Management & Efficiency
- Lead, develop, and manage the payroll team
- Set clear objectives and performance standards
- Provide coaching, training, and development opportunities
- Ensure adequate resourcing during peak payroll cycles
Reporting and Analysis
- Produce payroll reports, reconciliations, and analytics for Finance and senior leadership
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis (labour costs, overtime trends, etc.)
- Monitor payroll KPIs and identify areas of risk or inefficiency
Project Work & Continuous Improvement
- Lead and deliver payroll-related projects, including system implementations, upgrades, and migrations
- Support wider business transformation initiatives impacting payroll (e.g., changes to shift structures, harmonisation of terms, organisational restructures)
- Drive continuous improvement across payroll processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
- Identify and implement automation opportunities to reduce manual intervention and risk
- Develop and maintain project plans, ensuring delivery within scope, timelines, and budget
- Conduct impact assessments for legislative or business changes affecting payroll
- Champion best practice and standardisation across multiple sites
