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- Tasks: Lead payroll operations across the UK and Ireland, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Global organisation based in Berkshire with a dynamic work environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £80,000 plus a 25% bonus and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a critical function and drive meaningful change in payroll management.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Payroll Manager in a complex environment and strong Irish payroll knowledge.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and influence in a fast-paced setting.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ 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 UK & Ireland in Reading employer: JGA Recruitment
Contact Detail:
JGA Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager UK & Ireland in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its payroll processes. Show them you understand their challenges and how you can help improve their operations. Confidence is key, so practice your pitch!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. This way, you’ll stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager UK & Ireland 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, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point. Make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the job!
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 out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at JGA Recruitment
✨Know Your Payroll Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK and ROI payroll regulations, especially statutory obligations like PAYE and NIC. 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 successfully managed and developed a payroll team in the past. Highlight your experience in coaching and setting clear expectations, as this role requires strong leadership to maintain high standards across the payroll function.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
This position involves juggling multiple projects and shifting priorities, so be ready to share instances where you've thrived in a fast-paced environment. Discuss how you've managed change effectively while ensuring operational excellence.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since stakeholder management is key, think of examples where you've influenced or challenged constructively. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach collaboration with People teams, Finance, and external suppliers to ensure smooth payroll operations.
