Payroll Team Manager (12 month FTC) (Preston)

Location: Preston; Lancashire.

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: £48,000 – £52,000 depending on experience.

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future for all of us.

Job Description:

The Payroll Team Manager is responsible for the day‑to‑day coordination of payroll activity, ensuring payrolls are processed accurately, on time and in line with statutory, regulatory and internal policy requirements. The role manages a team of Payroll Advisors and Administrators, providing guidance, support and development to maintain consistent service standards. You will handle complex payroll queries, support audits and compliance activity, and work closely with HR, Finance and other stakeholders to assist with organisational changes, projects and process improvements across the payroll operation.

What you’ll be doing:

• Take ownership of team KPIs and performance measures, ensuring payrolls are delivered accurately and on time, while enhancing service quality and driving performance improvements.
• Provide effective and supportive line management to Payroll Advisors and Administrators, coaching and developing them to achieve their full potential while maintaining a motivated and high-performing team.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll quality, ensuring accuracy at every stage of the process and full compliance with statutory, regulatory and company policy requirements.
• Act as a subject matter expert for complex payroll queries, supporting escalations and ensuring timely resolution in line with agreed service levels.
• Champion continuous improvement by fostering a culture of innovation and process enhancement, ensuring the team feels engaged, supported and confident in embracing change.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and wider business stakeholders to support organisational changes, projects, and process enhancements.
• Support audits and compliance reviews by embedding robust controls, maintaining high quality standards and promoting operational excellence across the team.

Your skills and experiences:

• Extensive operational payroll experience, ideally gained within a Shared Service environment.
• Demonstrable experience of managing and developing people, ideally leading a large team.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current payroll legislation, with awareness of forthcoming regulatory changes and their practical impact.
• Familiarity with ResourceLink or a comparable payroll and HR system.
• Experience of working within a complex, high-volume and fast-paced payroll environment, with the ability to adapt to change.

The Payroll Team:

You’ll join a large, collaborative UK Payroll team supporting all sectors across BAE Systems. Operating within a complex and fast-moving environment, the team manages a diverse range of activity, detailed processes and multiple stakeholders, ensuring no two days are the same. This is an excellent opportunity to influence meaningful change and help shape the future of payroll delivery across the organisation. You’ll play an integral role in ensuring accurate and compliant payrolls, while driving continuous improvement and creating an environment in which your team can thrive.

If you enjoy working in a dynamic setting and are motivated by solving complex challenges, this role offers genuine variety, responsibility and the opportunity to make a tangible impact.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 9th July 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.