Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

Full-Time 50000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Artemis Clarke Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead payroll operations and drive transformation in a multi-site environment.
  • Company: Purpose-driven organisation focused on payroll and systems modernisation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team and influence change in a supportive environment.
  • Why this job: Shape and modernise a critical payroll function while making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in payroll leadership and strong systems capability required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.

Location: East Kent / Hybrid

Employment type: Permanent, Full-time

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 DOE

Are you a Payroll Manager comfortable operating in complex, multi-site environments? Do you have the credibility to lead both operational delivery and meaningful payroll transformation? Can you simplify legacy processes while improving systems, structure, and team capability?

Sirius Search are partnering with a well-established, purpose-driven, multi-site organisation as they enter a significant phase of payroll and systems transformation. This is a key hire, offering the opportunity to lead both operational delivery and the modernisation of a long-standing payroll function. Reporting into senior finance leadership, the role will play a central part in shaping a more efficient, system-led payroll operation.

The Payroll Manager Role

You will take ownership of the end-to-end payroll function, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely delivery across multiple payroll cycles. Alongside this, you will lead transformation activity, reviewing existing processes, simplifying legacy practices, and embedding scalable, efficient ways of working. Working closely with Finance and HR, you will support system integration and lead a well-established team through a period of change.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Ownership of payroll operations across a complex, multi-site environment
  • Leading payroll transformation, including process redesign and system optimisation
  • Simplifying and consolidating multiple payroll cycles
  • Driving improved utilisation of payroll systems and automation
  • Partnering with HR to strengthen payroll/HR system integration
  • Reviewing and modernising legacy payroll rules and practices
  • Leading, developing, and upskilling a payroll team
  • Ensuring full compliance with statutory and audit requirements
  • Providing payroll insight, reporting, and support to financial planning
  • Oversight of pension schemes and auto-enrolment

As Payroll Manager, you will bring:

  • Payroll leadership experience within a complex organisation
  • Strong systems capability, ideally within cloud-based payroll environments
  • Experience managing multiple payroll cycles and legacy structures
  • A track record of delivering process improvement or transformation
  • Strong stakeholder engagement across Finance, HR, and senior leadership
  • Up-to-date knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance
  • The ability to lead and develop teams through change
  • High attention to detail with strong analytical capability
  • A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to shape and modernise a critical function within an organisation, investing in change. The role offers genuine scope to influence systems, processes, and team capability, while working closely with senior stakeholders.

If this Payroll Manager role looks of interest and you think you have got what it takes to make a success of the role, please forward your CV today to Cressida Courtney or follow the link and apply online.

Payroll Manager employer: Artemis Clarke Ltd

Join a well-established, purpose-driven organisation in East Kent as a Payroll Manager, where you will lead the transformation of payroll operations in a supportive and collaborative environment. With a focus on employee growth and development, this role offers the chance to influence meaningful change while working closely with senior leadership and a dedicated team. Enjoy a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance and fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Artemis Clarke Ltd

Contact Details:

Artemis Clarke Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its payroll processes. Be ready to discuss how you can simplify their legacy systems and lead transformation. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need to modernise their payroll function.

Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the position.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you a better chance of getting noticed. So, don’t wait – check us out and get your application in!

We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager

Payroll Leadership
Systems Capability
Process Improvement
Stakeholder Engagement
UK Payroll Legislation Knowledge
Team Development
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Payroll Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing payroll operations and any transformation projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; show us what you’ve achieved! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've improved processes or systems in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you can make at StudySmarter.

Keep It Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and keep your language professional yet approachable.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Artemis Clarke Ltd

Know Your Payroll Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated complex payroll environments in the past, as this will show your expertise and confidence in handling the role.

Showcase Your Transformation Skills

Prepare examples of how you've led payroll transformation projects before. Talk about specific processes you simplified or systems you optimised, and be ready to explain the impact these changes had on the organisation.

Engage with Stakeholders

Since this role involves working closely with Finance and HR, think about how you can demonstrate your strong stakeholder engagement skills. Share experiences where you successfully collaborated with different teams to achieve a common goal.

Lead with Confidence

As a potential leader of a payroll team, it's crucial to convey your leadership style. Discuss how you've developed and upskilled teams in the past, and be prepared to share your approach to managing change effectively.