Payroll Operations Manager in Wantage

Location: Grove (ideally 4 days onsite)

Salary: Circa £70,000 + bonus + benefits

The Opportunity

This is a standalone Payroll Operations Manager role within a growing, complex organisation of circa 1,300 employees. Sitting within the People Advisory function, this position offers full ownership of payroll delivery, governance and continuous improvement. You will work closely with senior stakeholders across the wider People Advisory team, alongside Shared Services. The role is well-positioned to influence both operational excellence and broader transformation initiatives, including the integration of AI into payroll processes. For an experienced payroll professional, this is an opportunity to move beyond delivery alone and shape how payroll operates, evolves, and supports the wider business.

Role Purpose

To take end-to-end ownership of payroll operations, ensuring accurate, compliant, and efficient delivery via an outsourced provider. Alongside operational leadership, the role will focus on strengthening governance, improving processes, and driving transformation across payroll and related systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Ownership & Delivery
  • Oversee end-to-end monthly payroll for c.1,300 employees, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
  • Manage the relationship with the outsourced payroll provider and act as the escalation point for complex issues
  • Ensure full compliance with HMRC legislation, statutory obligations, and reporting requirements
  • Lead year-end processes including P60s, P11Ds and tax year submissions
• Systems & Data
  • Own payroll delivery through Workday, ensuring data integrity and efficient workflows
  • Partner with People Systems, Finance and Tax to enhance payroll-related processes and reporting
  • Maintain robust data controls aligned with GDPR and organisational standards
• Governance, Risk & Control
  • Establish and embed strong payroll controls and audit readiness
  • Lead internal and external audit activity relating to payroll
  • Ensure consistent, well-documented processes across payroll operations
• Process Improvement & Transformation
  • Review and optimise existing payroll processes, identifying opportunities for standardisation and efficiency
  • Lead improvements in ways of working across People and Shared Services
  • Support wider business transformation initiatives, including AI-focused projects
  • Drive automation and continuous improvement to reduce manual effort and enhance accuracy
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Act as the payroll subject matter expert for the business
  • Build strong, credible relationships across People, Finance and Shared Services
  • Coach and educate stakeholders on payroll processes, improving understanding and self-sufficiency

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll in a complex organisation
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax and statutory compliance
• Experience operating within an outsourced payroll model
• Confident working with payroll systems (Workday or equivalent) and Excel
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage risk and deadlines

Desirable

• CIPP qualification (or equivalent)
• Experience working in Workday-enabled environments
• Exposure to multi-site or complex workforce structures
• Experience driving automation or AI within payroll operations

What Success Looks Like

• Payroll is delivered accurately and on time across all pay cycles
• Governance and controls are embedded and audit-ready
• Payroll processes are simplified, consistent and well-understood across the organisation
• Strong, trusted relationships are built across People, Finance and Shared Services
• Tangible improvements delivered through automation, process optimisation, or system enhancements

Why This Role Matters

This isn’t a “steady-state” payroll position. It’s a role for someone who wants to own the function, challenge how things are done, and create a more efficient, scalable payroll operation. Payroll is highly visible across the business — getting it right underpins trust. Improving it creates capacity, reduces risk, and strengthens the wider People function.