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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll operations across the UK and ROI, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Global organisation based in Berkshire with a dynamic work culture.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a critical function and drive meaningful change in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume payroll management and strong Irish payroll knowledge required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy a role with genuine influence and visibility.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A global organisation based in Berkshire is seeking an experienced UK and ROI Payroll Manager to take full ownership of payroll delivery across the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. You will lead a sizeable payroll function supporting a large, multi-sited workforce and play a key role in maintaining compliance, driving improvement and supporting wider business change. This is not a static environment. You will be expected to juggle operational excellence with multiple projects and shifting priorities. This is a senior payroll leadership role suited to someone already operating at this level. It requires confidence, resilience and the ability to manage scale, complexity and ongoing change without losing control of delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- End to end leadership of UK, Northern Ireland and ROI payrolls across weekly and four weekly cycles, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance at scale.
- Ownership of statutory obligations including PAYE, NIC, pensions, auto enrolment, BIK, PSWT and PRSI.
- Management, coaching and development of a payroll team of around ten, setting clear expectations and maintaining high standards.
- Acting as the senior escalation point for payroll, working closely with People teams, Finance, Operations and external suppliers.
- Leading payroll related projects such as system enhancements, process automation and legislative change.
- Ensuring robust governance, audit readiness and senior level reporting on payroll performance and risk.
What You Will Bring
- Current experience operating as a Payroll Manager within a large, complex payroll environment.
- Demonstrable experience of high-volume payroll operations, ideally within retail or another multi-site sector.
- Strong, hands-on Irish payroll knowledge, this is essential.
- CIPP or IPASS qualification.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast paced, change heavy environment.
- Confident stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.
Why This Role
This role offers genuine ownership, visibility and influence. You will be trusted to run a critical function properly, improve it where needed and lead people through change with clarity and professionalism. If you are an established UK and ROI payroll leader looking for a role with scale, challenge and long-term opportunity, this position deserves serious consideration.
Payroll Manager in Reading employer: JGA Recruitment Group | B Corp™
Contact Detail:
JGA Recruitment Group | B Corp™ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and HR sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨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.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Focus on articulating your experience in managing payroll functions and leading teams. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing payroll operations, especially in complex environments like retail or multi-site sectors. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved payroll processes or led successful projects. This will help us see the impact you've made in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, be clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point. This will make it easier for us to understand your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at JGA Recruitment Group | B Corp™
✨Know Your Payroll Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK and ROI payroll regulations, especially around PAYE, NIC, and pensions. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are ready to take ownership of the payroll function.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've managed and developed teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience in coaching and setting clear expectations, as this is crucial for leading a sizeable payroll team effectively.
✨Be Ready for Change
This role involves juggling multiple projects and adapting to change. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated a fast-paced environment or led a project through significant changes. This will demonstrate your resilience and ability to maintain operational excellence.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you've managed relationships with various stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share strategies you've used to influence and challenge constructively, as strong stakeholder management skills are key for this position.
