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- Tasks: Lead payroll transformation and simplify complex processes in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Avante, a forward-thinking organisation focused on modernising payroll operations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of payroll in a key function.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values innovation and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 ÂŁ per year.
Avante is entering a major phase of payroll transformation, offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced Payroll Manager to drive meaningful change. This role goes beyond delivering accurate and compliant payroll — it’s about modernising a complex, long‑established environment.
With multiple payroll runs and legacy processes in place, you’ll play a key role in simplifying operations, improving team capability, and embedding a more efficient, system‑led payroll function. Reporting to the Head of Finance, this position sits at the centre of a wider finance and systems transformation programme.
About You
You’re a strong Payroll Manager who is comfortable working hands‑on while leading change in a complex environment.
You Will Bring
- Experience managing payroll in a complex or multi‑site organisation (social care, healthcare, or similar is advantageous)
- Strong knowledge of payroll systems, ideally Staffology or similar cloud‑based platforms
- Excellent systems aptitude, including HR/payroll integrations (e.g. Workforce)
- Experience managing multiple payroll cycles, legacy processes, or fragmented structures
- A track record of process improvement, transformation, or system implementation
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to develop and support teams through change
- A pragmatic, confident approach to improving established ways of working
- Strong attention to detail with a broader strategic mindset
What Makes This Role Exciting
- The opportunity to modernise and shape a key function
- The chance to simplify complexity and create lasting impact
- Exposure to modern, integrated systems
- A supportive environment focused on improvement and investment in people
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end‑to‑end payroll function within a complex social care environment, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery across multiple payrolls
- Take ownership of payroll transformation activity, reviewing and redesigning existing processes, controls, and ways of working
- Support the consolidation and simplification of four existing payroll runs, working towards a more efficient payroll structure
- Act as a key driver of change, helping to shift a long‑established team towards new systems, processes, and behaviours
- Provide hands‑on expertise in payroll systems, particularly Staffology, ensuring optimal use of system capability
- Work closely with HR colleagues to ensure effective integration between payroll and the HR system (Workforce)
- Identify and address legacy payroll rules, working with stakeholders to standardise and modernise where appropriate
- Lead, develop, and upskill payroll team members, building confidence in system‑led payroll processing
- Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, internal controls, and audit standards
- Act as a trusted partner to the Head of Finance, providing insight, reporting, and recommendations to support strategic decision‑making
- Oversight of Avante’s four pension schemes including ensuring compliance with auto enrolment requirements
- Support with staff cost budgets and staff costings for new projects
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Essential: CIPP qualification (Level 5 preferred) or equivalent experience. Candidates with substantial payroll leadership experience in complex environments will also be considered.
- Desirable: Additional qualifications in finance, HR, or systems
Experience
- Essential: Proven experience in a Payroll Manager or senior payroll leadership role within a complex organisation
- Experience managing multiple payroll cycles and navigating operational complexity
- Demonstrable track record of delivering payroll transformation, process improvement, or change initiatives
- Experience leading, developing, and upskilling payroll teams
- Hands-on experience with payroll systems (ideally Staffology or similar cloud‑based platforms)
- Experience working with integrated HR/payroll systems (e.g. Workforce or equivalent)
- Strong stakeholder management experience, including working with Finance, HR, and senior leadership
Desirable: Experience within social care, healthcare, or other high‑volume, multi‑site sectors. Experience rationalising payroll structures (e.g. consolidating multiple payroll runs). Involvement in system implementations or upgrades.
Skills
- Strong end‑to‑end payroll processing expertise, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail
- Advanced systems aptitude with the ability to quickly understand, optimise, and improve payroll technologies
- Analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex payroll rules and data
- Change management skills, with the ability to drive adoption of new processes and systems
- Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex payroll matters to non‑specialists
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, particularly in a fast‑paced, changing environment
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery
Knowledge
- Up‑to‑date knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and compliance obligations
- Understanding of payroll controls, audit requirements, and risk management
- Knowledge of payroll best practice, including process standardisation and automation
- Awareness of system integrations between payroll and HR platforms
- Understanding of the challenges associated with legacy payroll rules and how to modernise them
Qualities
- Demonstrable evidence of Avante’s SPARKLE values
- Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to operate effectively during periods of change and ambiguity
- Proactive and solutions‑focused, with a continuous improvement mind‑set
- Confident in challenging the status quo in a constructive and professional manner
- Strong leadership presence, with the ability to engage, motivate, and develop a long‑established team
- Collaborative approach, building strong relationships across Finance, HR, and operational teams
- High level of integrity and accountability, particularly when handling sensitive payroll data
- Pragmatic and hands‑on, willing to “roll up sleeves” while also driving longer‑term transformation
Payroll Manager in Faversham employer: Avante Care & Support
Contact Detail:
Avante Care & Support Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager in Faversham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its payroll processes. Familiarise yourself with their systems, especially if they use Staffology or similar platforms. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around payroll transformation and process improvement. Highlight specific examples where you've led change or simplified operations in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s make that connection happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager in Faversham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Manager role. Highlight your experience with payroll systems, especially if you've worked with Staffology or similar platforms. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Talk about specific instances where you’ve improved processes or led successful transformations in payroll. This will help us see the impact you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like payroll!
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. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avante Care & Support
✨Know Your Payroll Systems
Make sure you’re well-versed in payroll systems, especially Staffology or similar platforms. Brush up on how these systems integrate with HR tools like Workforce, as this knowledge will be crucial in demonstrating your capability to lead payroll transformation.
✨Showcase Your Change Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed change in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where you’ve improved processes or led teams through transitions, as this aligns perfectly with the role's focus on modernising payroll functions.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with UK payroll legislation and compliance obligations. Being able to discuss how you ensure accuracy and compliance while also thinking strategically about payroll improvements will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Team Development
Be ready to talk about your experience in leading and developing payroll teams. Share how you’ve built confidence in your team members and fostered a collaborative environment, as this is key to driving change in a long-established setting.