Payroll Manager (Croydon)

Location: Croydon, UK

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive, based on experience

About the Role:

We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Payroll Manager to lead and optimise the payroll function across our growing business. You will play a critical role in ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of payroll for a diverse workforce, including PAYE employees, umbrella workers, limited company contractors, and CIS workers. As our in-house payroll expert, you will also be responsible for ensuring full compliance with UK employment and tax regulations while continuously improving internal processes through technology and team leadership. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and fast-paced environment where your expertise will directly support operational excellence, financial accuracy, and employee satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process across multiple pay frequencies (daily, weekly, monthly), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Oversee payroll for a range of employment models, including umbrella, PAYE, limited company contractors, and CIS engagements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all relevant legislation and ensure full compliance with HMRC, employment law, and pension regulations.
• Act as the key point of contact for complex payroll queries, resolving issues quickly and effectively with professionalism and discretion.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and ensure accurate reporting of deductions, taxes, and payments.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Compliance, and Finance teams to ensure alignment between payroll data, employee records, and business policy.
• Continuously assess and improve payroll systems and processes to enhance automation, accuracy, and scalability.
• Lead and mentor the payroll team, driving performance, training, and development.
• Coordinate and manage internal and external payroll audits.
• Provide insightful reporting and payroll analytics to support decision-making across the business.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Significant experience in payroll management, ideally in a high-volume, multi-structure payroll environment.
• In-depth understanding of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, umbrella schemes, Ltd company and CIS frameworks.
• Experience in healthcare or recruitment payroll is desirable but not essential.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Excel and cloud-based payroll software.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to design and implement payroll improvements.
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills, able to work collaboratively across departments.
• Experience managing or mentoring team members, with a leadership style based on accountability and support.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation with a collaborative culture and a commitment to professional excellence. This is a role where your knowledge and leadership will be valued, your contributions visible, and your career development supported.