At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll operations across Europe, ensuring accuracy and compliance while managing employee benefits.
- Company: AVK, a leader in the data centre sector focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Up to £60,000 salary, competitive benefits, hybrid working, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career development and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team transforming the industry with a focus on sustainability and growth.
- Qualifications: Experience managing payroll for 300+ employees and knowledge of European payroll systems.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 € per year.
AVK is a leading player in the data centre sector, committed to driving innovation and sustainability in critical and prime power installations. We are on a mission to transform the industry, aligning our strategies with a sustainable future. The Payroll Manager role is a hands‑on role delivering payroll across a growing European footprint. AVK has recently implemented a new payroll system (ADP) and now operates five European payrolls within a fast‑moving, multi‑entity business.
Working with the People Operations Manager, you’ll lead on the end‑to‑end payroll operation to ensure payroll runs smoothly and is processed accurately, while embedding new ways of working, stabilising systems and shaping our operation to be resilient and ready to scale. As the organisation continues to grow and operate internationally, you’ll manage shadow payrolls and lead on payroll readiness for new operational sites, ensuring systems, data and processes are set up correctly from day one. You will also support the administration of employee benefits, ensuring timely registration and de‑registration of employees through established processes.
Key Responsibilities- Deliver accurate and timely payroll across the UK and all European payrolls, carrying out pre‑ and post‑payroll checks, reconciliations and variance analysis.
- Own payroll calendars, cut‑offs and inputs to ensure smooth month‑end delivery.
- Work closely with external providers, support the bedding‑in, optimisation and account management of ADP, including internal audits, validation and issue resolution.
- Manage pension schemes, including change processes, reporting, re‑enrolment and compliance duties.
- Act as a trusted partner for payroll queries from colleagues, managers and People Partners, managing our payroll inbox and consistently responding to all email within 24 hours.
- Work closely with Finance on reconciliations, reporting and cost accuracy.
- Build strong partnerships with payroll providers, leading retros and addressing or escalating issues as needed.
- Ensure payroll processing complies with local statutory, tax and reporting requirements across jurisdictions.
- Support internal and external audits, maintaining clear documentation and controls.
- Lead on change projects ensuring a smooth transition (e.g., payrolled benefits in 2027 is the next example you’ll drive at AVK).
- Support payroll setup and readiness for new sites and entities, including data mapping, processes and provider coordination.
- Help shape payroll processes that can scale as our European operations expand.
- Work closely with People and Finance on payroll implications of growth, change and new locations.
- You have the experience of running payroll for 300+ employees, with the complexities of variable pay, benefits administration, and shadow payroll.
- Experience of managing European payrolls is a must for this role – with the trajectory we’re on, that knowledge and experience is essential to maturing and scaling our payroll operations.
- You work well with ambiguity and adapt quickly to changing priorities and ways of working.
- You bring a calm, pragmatic approach to problem‑solving whilst maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Your Excel skills make reporting and payroll checks easy, quick and accurate.
- Working closely with the wider People team, Finance and external payroll providers, you get that payroll is a team sport and calls for nurturing strong working relationships, clear communication, and effective collaboration.
- Your service mindset shines through in your approach to investigating and responding to employee queries on pension, tax or payroll‑related issues.
- You naturally bring structure, a meticulous attention to detail and calm ownership to the payroll cycle, building the trust that is paramount with pay.
- Up to £60,000 base salary
- Competitive benefits package
- Open to part time
- Hybrid working, open to different office/home splits
- Ongoing training and career development
- Supportive, collaborative team environment
- Health Care Bonus Scheme
Payroll Manager in Clayton employer: Avk-Seg
AVK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Payroll Manager role. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, employees benefit from a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for ongoing training and career development. The collaborative culture fosters strong partnerships across teams, ensuring that every employee can thrive while contributing to the company's mission of transforming the data centre sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager in Clayton
✨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 AVK and its payroll operations. Understand their recent changes with ADP and think about how your experience can help them scale their European payrolls. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in payroll management and how you tackled them. This will demonstrate your calm and pragmatic approach, which is exactly what they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you that Payroll Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager in Clayton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Manager role. Highlight your experience with European payrolls and any specific systems like ADP. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at AVK!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, share examples of how you've tackled payroll challenges in the past. We love a calm, pragmatic approach, so let us know how you’ve maintained accuracy under pressure.
Highlight Teamwork:Since payroll is a team sport, emphasise your ability to collaborate with finance teams and external providers. Share instances where strong communication made a difference in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avk-Seg
✨Know Your Payroll Systems
Familiarise yourself with ADP and any other payroll systems mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with these systems, especially how you've managed payroll for 300+ employees and handled complexities like variable pay and benefits administration.
✨Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge
Prepare to talk about your understanding of local statutory, tax, and reporting requirements across different jurisdictions. Highlight any past experiences where you ensured compliance during payroll processing or supported audits, as this will demonstrate your attention to detail and ability to manage risks.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since payroll is a team sport, be ready to share examples of how you've built strong partnerships with finance teams and external payroll providers. Discuss how you’ve effectively communicated and collaborated with colleagues to resolve payroll queries, showcasing your service mindset.
✨Adaptability is Key
Given the fast-moving nature of the role, prepare to discuss how you've successfully navigated ambiguity and changing priorities in previous positions. Share specific instances where your calm, pragmatic approach helped solve problems while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
