At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-volume payroll operations and ensure 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 matched pension plan.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; recognised as a 'Great Place to Work'.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising payroll processes using Workday.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll management and strong technical knowledge required.
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 – Lead High-Volume Payroll (Hybrid, Workday) 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, this role provides the opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying generous benefits such as 28 days of holiday, a discretionary bonus scheme, and a commitment to flexible working arrangements. Join a team recognised as a 'Great Place to Work' and be part of a mutually owned business dedicated to ethical practices and diversity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager – Lead High-Volume Payroll (Hybrid, Workday)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and HR space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Payroll Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your experience with complex payrolls and system configurations, especially with Workday. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on common questions related to payroll management and leadership. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Tailor your application to highlight your leadership skills and technical knowledge in payroll. It shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Coventry Building Society.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager – Lead High-Volume Payroll (Hybrid, Workday)
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 showcase your skills in leading teams and processing complex payrolls.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role involves using Workday, be sure to mention your experience with HRIS systems, especially Workday. If you've been involved in payroll process improvements or implementations, shout about it!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about payroll and how your leadership style aligns with our values. Don’t forget to mention your commitment to delivering high-quality service.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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, especially around UK legislation and Workday. Be ready to discuss complex payroll scenarios and how you've handled them in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, prepare examples of how you've led and developed others. Think about specific instances where your coaching or mentoring made a difference in your team's performance.
✨Be Data-Driven
Highlight your analytical skills by discussing how you've used data to improve payroll processes. Be prepared to share examples of how you've identified issues and implemented solutions that enhanced efficiency.
✨Build Relationships
This role requires strong stakeholder management, so think about how you've built relationships with colleagues, senior leaders, and external partners. Be ready to discuss how these relationships have helped you deliver a high-quality service.
