Payroll Manager in Watford

Group Payroll Manager

Location: Harrogate / Hybrid

Remuneration: Competitive salary + package + benefits

Grosvenor House Group (GHG) is a UK-wide building improvement and management group headquartered in Harrogate, bringing together specialist businesses across facilities management, passive fire protection, refurbishment, maintenance and energy-saving solutions.

Through its operating companies - Adaston, Synergize and Grosvenor Facilities Management (GFM), GHG delivers critical services that help make buildings safer, more efficient and more sustainable.

With more than 600 employees and an annual turnover of over £75m, the Group works with clients across a diverse range of sectors and operates nationally.

As GHG continues to grow and develop as a Group, there is a strong focus on building robust central functions, improving processes and creating a consistent employee experience across its businesses. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Group at a key stage of its development and play a central role in strengthening the way payroll operates across the organisation.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Group Payroll Manager has overall responsibility for the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll services across GHG Group and its operating companies.

The role takes end-to-end ownership of the Group's in-house payroll function, ensuring all employees are paid accurately and on time and that all statutory, pension, tax and reporting obligations are met.

As the Group's payroll subject matter expert, the Group Payroll Manager will lead and develop the payroll team, maintain effective payroll controls and processes, and work closely with HR, Finance and operational teams to ensure the integrity of employee and payroll data.

Key Job requirements:

Payroll Management

• Take overall responsibility for the accurate and timely end-to-end processing of weekly and monthly payrolls across all Group companies.
• Oversee all payroll inputs including hours, overtime, allowances, bonuses, commission, salary changes, absence, statutory payments and deductions.
• Ensure starters, leavers and changes to employee terms and conditions are accurately reflected in payroll.
• Review and approve payroll calculations, reports and payment files prior to final processing.
• Manage payroll corrections, underpayments and overpayments, ensuring issues are resolved promptly.
• Maintain effective payroll calendars, deadlines and controls to ensure consistent and reliable payroll delivery.

Compliance, Pensions & Governance

• Ensure payroll complies with PAYE, National Insurance, National Minimum Wage, statutory payment, pension and other relevant legislative requirements.
• Take responsibility for accurate and timely HMRC submissions and statutory payroll reporting.
• Oversee workplace pension administration including auto-enrolment, contributions, opt-ins and opt-outs.
• Maintain appropriate payroll records, audit trails, authorisations and segregation of duties.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll legislation and implement changes to processes where required.
• Ensure payroll data is managed securely and confidentially in accordance with UK GDPR and Group policies.

Payroll Controls, Reconciliation & Reporting

• Maintain robust payroll checking, validation and reconciliation processes.
• Complete or oversee payroll control account and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Work closely with Finance to ensure payroll journals and payroll-related financial information are accurate.
• Take responsibility for payroll month-end and year-end processes, including P60s and other statutory reporting.
• Produce accurate payroll reports and management information for HR, Finance and senior management.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure payroll documentation is readily available and appropriately maintained.

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Take ownership of the effective operation and integrity of payroll systems and payroll data.
• Work closely with HR to ensure consistency and accuracy between HR and payroll records.
• Identify opportunities to automate and improve payroll processes, controls and employee experience.
• Maintain comprehensive payroll procedures and process documentation.
• Support the development and integration of HR, payroll, time and attendance and finance systems.
• Ensure appropriate business continuity arrangements are maintained for payroll processing.

Employee & Stakeholder Support

• Act as the Group's payroll subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance to employees, managers and HR colleagues.
• Ensure payroll queries are responded to accurately, professionally and within appropriate timescales.
• Investigate and resolve complex or escalated payroll issues.
• Provide advice on the payroll implications of changes to employee terms, benefits and working arrangements.
• Build effective working relationships with HR, Finance and operational colleagues across the Group.

Team Leadership

• Lead and manager the Payroll Administrator, setting clear expectations for accuracy, service and performance.
• Provide day-to-day direction, technical guidance and support to the Payroll Administrator.
• Allocate work effectively and ensure appropriate payroll knowledge and cover.
• Coach and develop team members to build payroll knowledge, capability and confidence.
• Support the development of Payroll Apprentices through structured workplace learning and practical experience.
• Create a positive and supportive team environment that encourages learning, accountability and continuous improvement.

ABOUT YOU

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Significant experience of delivering end-to-end payroll within an in-house payroll environment.
• Practical knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Experience managing monthly payroll cycles.
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, pensions and payroll year-end processes.
• Experience of payroll reconciliations, controls and reporting.
• Experience using payroll and HR systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver consistently against strict deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional and confidential approach to handling sensitive employee information.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• Recognised payroll qualification, such as a Level 3 qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience managing or supervising payroll colleagues.
• Experience operating payroll across multiple legal entities.
• Experience of payroll system implementation, development or process improvement.

Key Competencies

• Highly organised and methodical.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Reliable, dependable and accountable.
• High levels of integrity and discretion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Calm and effective under pressure.
• Collaborative and able to build strong working relationships.
• Effective people manager and coach.
• Proactive and improvement focused.
• Able to work independently and exercise sound judgement.

WHY JOIN GHG?

This is an opportunity to join a growing Group at an exciting stage of its development, with the chance to take genuine ownership of a critical central function. As GHG continues to grow, you'll play a key role in ensuring its payroll operation is robust, accurate and capable of supporting the Group's future.

You'll have the opportunity to shape and improve the Group payroll function, work closely with senior HR, Finance and operational leaders, and make a tangible impact across multiple businesses and legal entities. This is a role where your expertise, ideas and leadership will directly influence how payroll is delivered across GHG.

In return, you'll benefit from:

• A key Group-level role with genuine ownership and autonomy
• The opportunity to shape and improve the Group's payroll function
• Exposure to senior stakeholders across HR, Finance and operations
• The opportunity to lead, develop and grow a payroll team
• Career development within the wider Grosvenor House Group
• A collaborative and supportive leadership environment
• The opportunity to make a tangible impact within a growing organisation
• Ongoing professional development and investment in your career