Payroll Manager

About the Company

Our client 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. With more than 600 employees and annual revenues exceeding £75 million, the group delivers essential services that help make buildings safer, more efficient, and more sustainable across a diverse range of sectors throughout the UK. As the organisation continues to grow, there is a strong focus on strengthening central functions, improving processes, and creating a consistent employee experience across the group. This is an exciting opportunity to join at a key stage of development and play a pivotal role in enhancing payroll operations across the business.

About the Role

The Group Payroll Manager will be responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll services across multiple group businesses. This role takes full ownership of the in-house payroll function, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time, while maintaining compliance with all statutory, pension, tax, and reporting obligations. As the payroll subject matter expert, you will lead and develop the payroll team, maintain strong payroll controls and processes, and work closely with HR, Finance, and operational stakeholders to ensure the integrity of payroll and employee data.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Management
  • Manage the accurate and timely end-to-end processing of weekly and monthly payrolls across multiple group companies.
  • Oversee all payroll inputs, including: Hours worked, Overtime, Allowances, Bonuses and commissions, Salary changes, Absence management, Statutory payments, Payroll deductions.
  • Ensure all starter, leaver, and contractual change information is accurately reflected in payroll.
  • Review and approve payroll calculations, reports, and payment files before processing.
  • Manage payroll corrections, underpayments, and overpayments.
  • Maintain payroll calendars, controls, and deadlines to ensure consistent service delivery.
• Compliance, Pensions & Governance
  • Ensure compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, National Minimum Wage, statutory payments, pensions, and all relevant UK payroll legislation.
  • Manage HMRC submissions and statutory payroll reporting.
  • Oversee workplace pension administration, including: Auto-enrolment, Contributions, Opt-ins and opt-outs.
  • Maintain payroll records, audit trails, authorisation processes, and segregation of duties.
  • Keep up to date with legislative changes and implement process improvements where necessary.
  • Ensure payroll data is managed securely and in line with UK GDPR requirements.
• Payroll Controls, Reconciliation & Reporting
  • Maintain robust payroll validation and reconciliation procedures.
  • Complete and oversee payroll control account and balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Partner with Finance to ensure payroll journals and related financial reporting are accurate.
  • Manage month-end and year-end payroll activities, including P60 production and statutory reporting.
  • Produce payroll reports and management information for HR, Finance, and senior leadership.
  • Support internal and external audits and maintain appropriate payroll documentation.
• Systems & Continuous Improvement
  • Take ownership of payroll systems and data integrity.
  • Work closely with HR to ensure consistency between HR and payroll records.
  • Identify opportunities to improve automation, efficiency, controls, and employee experience.
  • Maintain detailed payroll procedures and process documentation.
  • Support the implementation and integration of payroll, HR, time and attendance, and finance systems.
  • Ensure effective business continuity arrangements are in place for payroll processing.
• Employee & Stakeholder Support
  • Act as the organisations payroll subject matter expert.
  • Provide guidance and support to employees, managers, and HR colleagues.
  • Ensure payroll queries are handled accurately, professionally, and within agreed timescales.
  • Investigate and resolve complex payroll issues.
  • Advise on payroll implications relating to changes in employment terms, benefits, and working arrangements.
  • Build strong working relationships across HR, Finance, and operational teams.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead and manage the Payroll Administrator.
  • Provide day-to-day direction, technical guidance, and support.
  • Allocate workloads effectively and ensure appropriate payroll cover is maintained.
  • Coach and develop payroll team members.
  • Support Payroll Apprentices through structured learning and practical workplace experience.
  • Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture focused on continuous improvement.

About You

Essential Experience & Skills

• Significant experience managing end-to-end payroll within an in-house payroll environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Experience managing monthly payroll cycles.
• Extensive knowledge of: PAYE, National Insurance, Statutory payments, Workplace pensions, Payroll year-end processes.
• Experience with payroll reconciliations, controls, and reporting.
• Strong payroll and HR systems experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and numerical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and strict deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional and confidential approach to handling sensitive employee information.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• Recognised payroll qualification (e.g. Level 3 Payroll Qualification) or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience managing or supervising payroll team members.
• Experience processing payroll across multiple legal entities.
• Exposure to payroll system implementations, process improvement, or systems development projects.

Key Competencies

• Highly organised and methodical.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Reliable and accountable.
• High level of integrity and discretion.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Calm and effective under pressure.
• Collaborative relationship-builder.
• Effective people leader and coach.
• Proactive, improvement-focused mindset.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.

What's on Offer

• A key group-level position with real ownership and autonomy.
• Opportunity to shape and enhance the payroll function.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders across HR, Finance, and Operations.
• Responsibility for developing and growing a payroll team.
• Long-term career development opportunities within a growing organisation.
• Collaborative and supportive leadership environment.
• Opportunity to make a tangible impact on the business.
• Ongoing professional development and investment in your career.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional seeking a leadership role within a growing, multi-entity organisation where they can drive improvements, influence processes, and make a genuine impact.