At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll operations for 6000 employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with UK legislation.
- Company: Join Coventry Building Society, a trusted ethical bank with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, a bonus scheme, and a personal pension with matched contributions.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; recognised as a 'Great Place to Work'.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payroll delivery and make a real impact in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll management, strong technical knowledge, and excellent organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
The Payroll Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the Group’s payroll and expenses are delivered accurately on time and in full compliance with UK legislation. Leading end‑to‑end payroll operations for circa 6000 employees, this role oversees monthly payroll processing, statutory and annual reporting, and acts as the go‑to expert for complex payroll matters, helping to minimise risk while delivering a trusted, high‑quality service to the business.
They also are responsible for securely configuring systems, maintaining robust controls and using data and insight to continuously improve payroll and people processes. This is a people‑focused leadership role, managing and developing a skilled payroll team of 6 Administrators through coaching, mentoring and knowledge‑sharing. The Payroll Manager builds strong relationships with colleagues, senior leaders and external partners, including HMRC and key suppliers, to ensure a responsive, customer‑focused service that supports organisational goals. They also deputise for the Senior Manager – People Services when required, contributing to wider People leadership.
Why join our team: The role offers the opportunity to lead payroll projects and shape the future of payroll delivery, using Workday to modernise processes and drive efficiency. This is an ideal opportunity for a technically strong payroll professional who enjoys leading others, driving improvement and making a real impact across the organisation.
Location & Hybrid Working: We operate on a team led hybrid approach with at least 2 days a week in the Coventry office.
Our benefits include:
- 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays (increasing to 30 days after 2 years’ service) and a holiday buy/sell scheme
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme
- Personal pension with matched contributions
- Life assurance (6 times annual salary)
About you For this role you’ll need to have:
- Payroll team management experience; leads and develops others
- Strong, up-to‑date technical payroll knowledge
- Experience processing complex/manual payrolls
- Highly organised, detail-focused, able to manage multiple cycles
- Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Experience with HRIS, especially Workday
- Customer-focused, accountable, and decisive
- CIPP full membership
- Foundation Degree in Payroll (or equivalent)
Experience in these areas would be helpful:
- Experience in complex or high-volume payroll environments
- Payroll process improvement and optimisation experience
- Workday implementation or enhancement exposure
- Broader HR/payroll integration knowledge
- Change management experience
- Strong stakeholder management skills
- Reporting and payroll data analysis experience
- Ability to configure within the Workday ecosystem
About us In 2025, Coventry Building Society purchased The Co-operative Bank. Bringing together our purpose-led building society with the UK’s original ethical bank was the start of an exciting journey. Trusted by over four million people, we’re a mutually owned business free from shareholders, and with our combined experience of almost 300 years, our ethics and dedication will continue to guide us. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.
We’re officially recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing. We’re serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity. By working together, we know you’ll build more than just a career with us.
Flexibility and why it matters We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we’ll consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role.
Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer We’re proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. If there are ever occasions where it is not practicable to interview all candidates that meet the essential criteria, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we commit to interviewing disabled candidates who best meet the minimum essential and desirable criteria.
Payroll Manager in Coventry employer: Coventry Building Society
Coventry Building Society is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With a strong focus on leadership and innovation in payroll processes, the Payroll Manager role provides opportunities for professional growth while working in a hybrid environment that promotes flexibility. Employees enjoy generous benefits, including a competitive holiday allowance, a discretionary bonus scheme, and a commitment to diversity and equality, making it a truly rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and HR world. 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!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical payroll knowledge. Be ready to discuss complex payroll scenarios and how you’ve tackled them in the past. Show them you’re not just a numbers person, but a problem-solver too!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! Talk about how you’ve developed teams and improved processes. Employers love to see candidates who can lead and inspire others, especially in a people-focused role like this one.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Coventry Building Society. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Manager role. Highlight your payroll management experience and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your skills can make a real impact!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your technical payroll knowledge, especially if you have experience with Workday or similar HRIS systems. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
Be Personable:Since this is a people-focused leadership role, it’s important to convey your ability to build strong relationships. Share examples of how you've managed teams or collaborated with stakeholders in the past. We love a good team player!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry Building Society
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical payroll knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss complex payroll scenarios and how you've handled them in the past. This role requires a strong grasp of UK legislation, so be prepared to demonstrate your understanding of compliance and reporting.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Payroll Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to highlight your management experience. Think of specific examples where you've coached or developed team members. Discuss how you foster a collaborative environment and build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
✨Be Data-Driven
This role involves using data to improve payroll processes, so come prepared with examples of how you've used analytics in your previous roles. Whether it’s optimising payroll cycles or enhancing systems like Workday, show that you can leverage data for continuous improvement.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so think of insightful questions to ask about the company culture, team dynamics, and future payroll projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
