Senior Payroll Manager / Associate Director

Reporting to: Payroll Director

Hours: Full time Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm (37.5 hours per week)

Location: Any of our 9 offices as a base - Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. Travel expected with hybrid working.

Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ which saw the coming together of LB Group and six other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm. With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

Purpose of the role: The Associate Director / Senior Manager is a growth role that will play a key role in supporting the growth and strategic goals of our expanding payroll service line. As the business scales, this critical position will enhance service delivery, improve operational efficiency, and drive client management and team development. By overseeing day-to-day operations, this role will allow the Director to focus on high-level growth initiatives and new acquisitions. The Associate Director / Senior Manager will also contribute to business development; help integrate emerging technologies and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. This role is an essential investment in reinforcing the leadership structure and positioning the payroll service line for sustainable growth and long-term success.

Accountabilities: As the Associate Director / Senior Manager you will take responsibility for:

• Lead the payroll service line’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that all teams are effectively managed and deliver high-quality results.
• Act as a mentor and guide for junior staff, facilitating knowledge transfer, professional development, and skill enhancement within the team.
• Provide strategic oversight and leadership to ensure consistent service delivery, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Serve as the main point of contact for escalated payroll issues, resolving complex challenges and ensuring seamless service delivery across multiple locations and clients.
• Oversee the efficient execution of payroll services, ensuring deadlines are met and client expectations are consistently exceeded.
• Identify and implement process improvements within the payroll function to streamline operations, increase productivity, and enhance service quality.
• Support the growth of the service line by actively engaging with potential clients, promoting additional services, and fostering long-term client relationships.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and resources effectively to ensure that payroll operations are cost-effective and aligned with business objectives.
• Work closely with the Director to develop and implement strategic plans for the future growth of the service line, including new service offerings and market expansion.

Key skills and attributes required:

• Essential you have Practice background knowledge and not only industry.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate, and develop teams across various locations to achieve high performance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams, clients, and senior leadership.
• Proven ability to lead teams through change, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of tax regulations and compliance issues affecting payroll operations.
• Ability to align operational goals with broader business objectives and execute on strategies to achieve those goals.
• Strong focus on improving operational efficiency, streamlining processes, and increasing productivity within the payroll function.
• Strong financial management skills, with the ability to manage budgets, control costs, and ensure profitability within the service line.
• Ability to adapt to evolving business needs and external market changes, with a focus on maintaining service quality and operational continuity.
• Commercially astute, with an understanding of market trends and competitive landscape within payroll and related services.
• Experience with payroll software and systems, and the ability to leverage technology to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Core Benefits: At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• Opportunity to purchase 3 extra days holiday per year.
• Death in Service.
• Professional membership support.
• Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies.
• Dress for your Diary Policy.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion, or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.