High-Volume Payroll Specialist (Hybrid) in Manchester

Are you an experienced payroll professional looking for a fast‑paced, high‑volume role where technical accuracy and compliance really matter? This is an opportunity for a Payroll Officer (High Volume / Transactional) to join a large, highly complex organisation within the education sector, operating a nationally significant payroll function.

As a Payroll Officer, you will be part of a centralised payroll team supporting a very high‑volume workforce, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely processing of all pay‑related transactions. This Payroll Officer role sits within a fast‑paced, detail‑driven environment where precision, compliance, and strong technical payroll knowledge are essential. The Payroll Officer will be supporting a payroll service responsible for processing over 15,000 employees and approximately 7,000 contractors each month, making this a truly high‑volume, transactional payroll environment where strong legislative understanding and attention to detail are critical.

What will you be doing as a Payroll Officer?

• Processing high‑volume payroll transactions across a workforce of over 15,000 employees and approximately 7,000 contractors
• Supporting end‑to‑end payroll processing including starters, leavers, contract changes, and pay adjustments
• Ensuring accurate set‑up of payroll records for all employee types including salaried staff, casual workers, and contractors
• Managing complex payroll activity including absence‑related pay (sickness, maternity, paternity, adoption, sabbaticals, and career breaks)
• Calculating and processing statutory payments including PAYE, National Insurance, SSP, SMP, and other legislative requirements
• Acting as a first point of contact for payroll queries from employees and managers, providing accurate and timely responses
• Investigating and resolving payroll discrepancies, escalating complex issues where required
• Ensuring all payroll activity is fully compliant with current tax legislation and organisational procedures
• Working collaboratively within a large payroll team to meet strict deadlines and maintain accuracy under pressure
• Using payroll systems (experience with ResourceLink is highly beneficial but not essential)

We would LOVE to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Strong payroll experience in a high‑volume, transactional payroll environment
• Solid technical knowledge of payroll legislation including PAYE, NI, SSP, SMP and wider tax compliance requirements
• Experience processing end‑to‑end payroll including starters, leavers, and contract changes
• Confidence working with large datasets and high‑volume payroll cycles
• Ability to work accurately to tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong communication skills with the ability to handle payroll queries professionally
• Experience using payroll systems (experience with ResourceLink would be highly advantageous)

What will you get in return for your work as a Payroll Officer?

• Immediate start available
• 4‑week temporary assignment
• 35 hours per week
• Hourly rate: £15.19ph - £16.93ph (depending on experience)
• Weekly pay
• Paid annual leave (accrued)
• Hybrid working available following initial training period
• Opportunity to work within a large‑scale, high‑volume payroll operation
• Exposure to complex, compliance‑driven transactional payroll processing in a structured team environment

Apply now by sending your CV. We aim to respond to all successful applications within 2 days. If you haven't been contacted within 2 days your application has been unsuccessful. Please check our website and apply directly for any other suitable positions you see. We apologise that we are unable to contact everyone in person and thank you for your interest.