Interim Payroll & Benefits Manager in Newbury

Our client, a well-established Winchester based organisation, is seeking an Interim Payroll & Benefits Manager for an initial fixed-term contract of 3-6 months.

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a standalone payroll and benefits function while working as part of a small, supportive team. Alongside ensuring the smooth delivery of monthly payroll, you will review existing processes, procedures and controls, helping to shape the future approach to payroll and benefits administration.

The Role

Working closely with colleagues across People and Finance, you will take responsibility for the end-to-end monthly payroll for approximately 200 employees, together with the administration of a small number of employee benefits.

This role combines operational payroll and benefits management with process review and continuous improvement, making it ideal for someone who enjoys both hands-on delivery and identifying opportunities to enhance ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the end-to-end monthly payroll process for approximately 200 employees.
• Ensuring payroll is processed accurately, efficiently and on time each month.
• Managing payroll inputs, including starters, leavers, contractual changes, absence, statutory payments, deductions and adjustments.
• Administering a small portfolio of employee benefits and ensuring records are maintained accurately.
• Acting as the first point of contact for payroll and benefits queries from employees and managers.
• Ensuring payroll and benefits administration remains compliant with relevant legislation and organisational requirements.
• Reviewing current payroll and benefits processes, controls and ways of working.
• Identifying opportunities to streamline and improve administration, efficiency and resilience.
• Reviewing and updating payroll and benefits procedures and documentation to ensure they remain accurate, practical and fit for purpose.
• Identifying risks, inefficiencies, gaps in knowledge or single points of dependency within the function.
• Providing recommendations to strengthen service delivery, compliance and business continuity.
• Supporting the organisation to evaluate future options for payroll delivery, including the benefits and considerations of maintaining an in-house payroll function versus outsourcing.

About You

We are looking for an experienced payroll professional who can quickly build an understanding of an established payroll operation and work autonomously within a small team environment.

You will be comfortable balancing the day-to-day management of payroll and benefits with reviewing processes and recommending improvements.

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory requirements and payroll best practice.
• Experience administering employee benefits and responding to related queries.
• Experience working within a standalone payroll role or small team environment.
• The ability to identify risks, process improvements and efficiencies.
• Experience documenting and improving payroll procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The confidence to work independently and take ownership of the payroll and benefits function.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain payroll and benefits matters clearly to non-specialists.
• Previous experience reviewing outsourced versus in-house payroll models would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Knowledge of Cascade advantageous
• Pension
• Flexible fixed-term opportunity suitable for someone seeking a change, career break from a larger organisation, consultancy‑style assignment or interim contract.

Established in 2003, Jo Thompson Recruitment is a privately owned premier boutique recruitment consultancy specialising in Recruitment Services, Assessment and Development Centres, HR Solutions, Career Coaching and Psychometric Testing.

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