At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll services, ensuring compliance and operational excellence across multiple teams.
- Company: Join a top 10 accounting firm with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor diverse teams and foster a high-performance culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving transformation in payroll services.
- Qualifications: Proven payroll leadership experience and deep knowledge of UK legislation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Your new company HAYS are excited to bring you this exciting opportunity. The UK Payroll Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the firm's Payroll Services function across the UK. This includes responsibility for multiple regional payroll teams, as well as the governance and performance of both onshore and offshore delivery centres. The role ensures excellence in service delivery, compliance with UK legislation, and supports continued growth in a fast-paced, high-volume environment within a top 10 accounting firm.
This position requires a commercially minded leader with deep technical payroll expertise, strong people leadership skills, and a proven ability to drive transformation, standardisation and operational efficiency across complex, multisite teams.
- Develop and deliver the national payroll strategy for the UK, aligned with the firm's wider outsourcing and advisory objectives.
- Set consistent standards, controls, and best-practice frameworks across all payroll locations and service lines.
- Ensure operational resilience, incorporating business continuity planning and appropriate risk management.
- Lead large-scale transformation programmes, including technology modernisation, automation, and process optimisation.
- Oversee day-to-day operations for high-volume and complex payroll portfolios across multiple sectors.
- Manage performance across onshore and offshore teams, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to SLAs.
- Ensure compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements for the UK, including HMRC, pensions, and industry-specific requirements.
Client Leadership & Commercial Growth:
- Act as senior escalation point for key national clients, including resolving high-risk issues.
- Implement new clients and upgrade payroll systems.
- Identify opportunities to expand the payroll offering, cross-sell wider services, and enhance client value.
- Lead, inspire, and mentor a diverse workforce of payroll managers, team leaders, and specialists across multiple sites.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on quality, compliance, and exceptional service.
- Oversee performance management, skills development, and continuous professional learning.
Proven experience in a senior payroll leadership role within a large accounting firm, BPO, or complex multisite organisation. Deep technical understanding of UK payroll legislation, compliance, and best practice. Experience managing large teams across multiple locations, including offshore delivery. Demonstrable track record of delivering operational transformation and process improvement. Strong commercial acumen and experience in supporting revenue growth and client development.
Payroll Project Executive in Warrington employer: Hays
HAYS is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and development within the payroll sector. With a commitment to excellence in service delivery and compliance, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises innovation and operational efficiency. Located in the UK, HAYS provides unique opportunities for career advancement while supporting a diverse workforce through mentorship and continuous learning initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Project Executive in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and accounting sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their payroll processes and challenges. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience in managing teams and driving transformation. Use specific examples to highlight how you've improved processes or led successful projects in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Project Executive in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Project Executive role. Highlight your experience in payroll leadership, compliance, and operational efficiency. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in payroll management and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading diverse teams, make sure to highlight your people leadership skills. Talk about how you've inspired and mentored teams in the past, and how you can bring that same energy to our organisation.
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 ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Payroll Legislation
Make sure you brush up on UK payroll legislation and compliance before the interview. Being able to discuss specific laws and how they impact payroll operations will show that you have the deep technical expertise required for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in previous roles, especially in high-volume environments. Highlight your experience in mentoring and developing staff, as well as how you've driven transformation and operational efficiency across multiple sites.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss how you've supported revenue growth and client development in past positions. Think of specific instances where you've identified opportunities to expand services or enhance client value, as this aligns with the company's goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle high-risk issues. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies, particularly in relation to managing complex payroll portfolios.
