The Payroll Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end management of the in-house payroll function, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with all relevant UK legislation and HMRC requirements.
The role will oversee payroll operations, statutory reporting, payroll reconciliations, pension administration, and payroll controls, whilst working closely with the HR Team and Finance function to ensure a high-quality payroll service is delivered across the business.
The role will also support treasury and finance operational activities, process improvement initiatives, and finance systems development where required.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll & People-Related Finance Support
- Manage the end-to-end in-house payroll process across relevant group entities and jurisdictions.
- Ensure payroll is processed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
- Validate and process payroll inputs including salary changes, overtime, bonuses, commission, statutory payments, deductions, benefits, and employee changes.
- Administer statutory payments including SSP, SMP, SPP, SAP, and ShPP in line with current legislation.
- Submit Real Time Information (RTI) filings, including Full Payment Submissions (FPS) and Employer Payment Summaries (EPS), accurately and on time.
- Administer PAYE, National Insurance contributions, student loan deductions, attachment of earnings orders, pension contributions, and other statutory deductions.
- Ensure accurate processing and payment of payroll liabilities including HMRC payments, PAYE, National Insurance contributions, pension contributions, and third-party deductions.Respond to HMRC correspondence and queries, including tax code notices, payment reconciliations, and compliance requests.
- Maintain compliance with current UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, National Minimum Wage regulations, and statutory obligations.
- Produce and reconcile payroll journals and support payroll-related balance sheet reconciliations.
- Manage payroll outputs and year-end processes including P60s, P45s, and other statutory reporting requirements.
Treasury, Banking & Cash Management
- Support day-to-day treasury and banking activities across the group.
- Maintain accurate cash postings and ensure bank transactions are recorded promptly and accurately.
- Support daily and periodic cash reporting and short-term cash flow forecasting.
- Assist with banking reconciliations and treasury controls.
Finance Operations & Reconciliations
- Maintain robust reconciliations across payroll, cash, cards, and related balance sheet accounts.
- Support underwriter reconciliations, including commission and IPT balances where required.
- Investigate and resolve finance or payroll system discrepancies and posting errors.
- Support chargeback responses, customer refunds, and payment-related queries where applicable.
- Assist with month-end processes including accruals, prepayments, and other finance tasks.
This list of duties is neither exclusive nor exhaustive and may be amended by Senior Management from time to time, nor is it in an order of importance.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Experience managing an end-to-end in-house payroll function
- Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements Experience processing payroll within a fast-paced environment
- Sound understanding of PAYE, National Insurance, Statutory payments, Auto-enrolment pensions, RTI submissions (FPS/EPS) and Payroll reconciliations and controls
- Experience managing year-end payroll processes including P60s, P45s, and P11Ds
- Strong attention to detail and high levels of accuracy
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to strict deadlines
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Experience using payroll and finance systems
Competencies
- Attention to Detail – Consistently produces accurate work and identifies discrepancies or issues promptly.
- Ownership & Accountability – Takes responsibility for payroll accuracy, compliance, and meeting deadlines.
- Confidentiality & Integrity – Handles sensitive employee and financial information professionally and discreetly.
- Communication Skills – Communicates clearly and effectively with employees, managers, HMRC, and external providers.
- Problem Solving – Identifies issues quickly and implements practical, compliant solutions.
- Planning & Organisation – Effectively prioritises workload and manages competing deadlines.
- Continuous Improvement – Seeks opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and efficiencies.
- Collaboration – Works effectively with Finance, People Teams, and wider business stakeholders.
- Adaptability – Responds positively to changing priorities, legislation, and business requirements.
- Customer Focus – Delivers a professional and responsive service to internal stakeholders and employees.
