Payroll Services Manager

We are recruiting a Payroll Manager to lead a large, complex payroll service within a London Local Authority. This is a senior operational role with responsibility for the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll across a significant workforce, alongside pension payments and statutory reporting. The service processes more than 6,500 salaries and 8,000 pension payments each month, so the successful candidate will need to be comfortable operating at scale and taking ownership of a business-critical function. You will act as the organisation’s payroll expert, providing advice on complex payroll matters, interpreting legislation and ensuring the service remains compliant with HMRC requirements, statutory regulations and internal financial controls.

The role will include:

• Leading and managing the payroll function, including direct management of senior payroll staff
• Ensuring monthly payroll and pension payments are accurate, controlled and delivered to deadline
• Providing specialist advice on PAYE, tax, National Insurance, pensions and payroll legislation
• Maintaining strong payroll controls, reconciliations and audit processes
• Identifying payroll errors and ensuring corrective action is taken quickly
• Managing complex payroll cases, overpayments, complaints and escalations
• Developing payroll policies, processes, systems and controls
• Managing internal and external audit requirements
• Supporting the implementation of new payroll technology and service improvements
• Managing and monitoring payroll-related budgets, SLAs and service performance
• Building effective working relationships with HR, Finance, Legal, Pensions, schools, senior managers, trade unions and external agencies
• Deputising for the Head of Service where required

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Manager who has operated within a large and complex payroll environment. You will need strong technical knowledge of payroll legislation and statutory reporting, together with proven experience of managing people, improving payroll processes and delivering consistently against demanding monthly deadlines. Experience within Local Government would be particularly relevant due to the range of employment terms and conditions involved, including NJC, Teachers, Soulbury and local agreements. The role requires detailed knowledge of payroll reconciliation, financial controls and the interpretation of complex regulations.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Significant experience managing a large payroll operation
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, tax, National Insurance and pensions
• Experience interpreting complex payroll legislation and terms and conditions
• Proven team management and performance management experience
• Strong payroll reconciliation and financial control experience
• Experience working with payroll systems and implementing service improvements
• The ability to manage competing deadlines in a high-volume environment
• Experience dealing with complex payroll queries, complaints and senior stakeholders

A relevant degree, recognised professional payroll qualification or substantial equivalent experience managing a large payroll service would be expected. This role would suit an established Payroll Manager or senior payroll professional looking for ownership of a substantial payroll service and the opportunity to shape how the function operates.