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- Tasks: Lead a team of payroll specialists, ensuring high-quality service and smooth operations.
- Company: Join IRIS, a supportive and innovative company focused on payroll solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid work, and clear career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding your team and enhancing client experiences.
- Qualifications: Strong payroll experience and a passion for supporting others.
- Other info: Enjoy a friendly environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join IRIS in a leadership role where your payroll knowledge, people skills, and calm approach will make a real impact. We are looking for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys supporting others, solving problems, and keeping service standards high.
We are currently recruiting both permanent and fixed-term (up to 12 months) Client Payroll Team Leads, giving you flexibility to choose the option that works best for you. If you are ready to step into team leadership or have already led a team and want a fresh challenge, this role gives you the platform, support, and progression to grow.
Why This Role MattersAs our Client Payroll Team Lead, you will look after the success of a team of around eight Client Payroll Executives. They manage payrolls for clients across a wide range of industries (excluding Education and Hospitality), and your job is to guide, coach, and support them so every client receives accurate and reliable payroll service. You won’t manage your own portfolio; your focus is on people, service quality, and keeping everything running smoothly. This involves monitoring performance, helping with tricky queries, planning workloads, and stepping in when needed to protect service levels.
About the Team You'll JoinYou will be part of the Corporate vertical within our Managed Payroll Services division. This team sits at the heart of our service delivery, working closely with Implementation, Support, Sales, and Account Management to ensure everything runs smoothly. You will report to a Regional Operations Manager and work alongside other Team Leads to share ideas, solve problems, and create the best possible experience for our clients and our colleagues.
What You'll Be Doing- Lead and support a team of around 8 payroll specialists, making sure they hit deadlines, deliver high-quality work, and feel supported.
- Handle escalations and challenges, keeping calm under pressure and guiding the team to solutions.
- Coach and develop your people, holding 1:1s, giving feedback, and helping them strengthen their skills.
- Work closely with other teams such as Implementation, Finance, IT, Sales, and Account Management to give clients a smooth, joined-up experience.
- Plan workloads and monitor service levels, adjusting quickly when things change.
- Help with key operations including onboarding, invoicing, migrations, compliance checks, and maintaining accurate CRM/SharePoint records.
- Encourage a positive team environment, sharing updates clearly, recognising good work, and driving improvements.
- Spot where processes can be better, and help bring those improvements to life.
You will shine in this role if you have:
- Strong payroll processing experience in a bureau, outsourced, or multi-client environment.
- A natural ability to support and guide others.
- Confidence handling multiple priorities and staying organised.
- Great attention to detail, plus good working knowledge of Excel and other tools.
- Clear, calm, professional communication skills.
- A collaborative, helpful approach with the confidence to escalate when needed.
You don’t need previous formal leadership experience; if you’ve acted as a go-to person, supported colleagues, or helped train others, you may already be ready for this step.
What You'll Gain- A supported move into leadership, with coaching and structured development.
- The chance to influence how payroll services are delivered across our Corporate client base.
- A friendly, inclusive environment where ideas are welcomed.
- A clear career path through the IRIS Career Framework.
- Real impact - you’ll see the difference you make to your team and our customers every day.
We understand that exploring a new opportunity within IRIS is a big decision, so we’ve kept the process simple, supportive, and focused on helping you shine. Here’s what happens once you hit apply:
- Apply online - Just upload your CV and tell us why you’re interested in the role.
- Initial Interview (plus Online Assessments) - A short chat with our Talent team plus two quick assessments: CCAT (15-minute timed test) and EPP (untimed personality questionnaire).
- Final interview - A competency-based interview with members of the Managed Payroll Services leadership team.
If you enjoy leading by example, supporting others, and keeping service running smoothly, this is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while helping others succeed. Apply now and become a key part of our Corporate Payroll leadership team at IRIS.
Client Payroll Team Lead (Corporate) in Bolton employer: IRIS Recruitment
Contact Detail:
IRIS Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Payroll Team Lead (Corporate) in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry and let them know you're on the lookout for new opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for payroll leadership roles and practice your responses. Show off your problem-solving skills and how you can support a team effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your people skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've guided or supported colleagues in the past. This will highlight your ability to lead a team successfully.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at IRIS.
We think you need these skills to ace Client Payroll Team Lead (Corporate) in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Client Payroll Team Lead role. Highlight your payroll processing experience and any leadership qualities, even if they’re informal.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re excited about this role. Share specific examples of how you've supported others or solved problems in previous jobs to show us you’re the right fit.
Be Yourself in Assessments: When you take the online assessments, just be yourself! We want to see your natural abilities and personality shine through, so don’t overthink it.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at IRIS Recruitment
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge before the interview. Understand the key processes and challenges in payroll management, especially in a multi-client environment. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're ready to lead a team.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role is all about supporting and guiding a team, be prepared to discuss your experience in coaching and developing others. Think of specific examples where you've helped colleagues overcome challenges or improve their skills, as this will demonstrate your leadership potential.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
The interviewers will likely want to see how you handle pressure and tricky situations. Prepare some scenarios where you've successfully managed tight deadlines or resolved conflicts within a team. Highlight your calm approach and problem-solving skills to make a strong impression.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
