Payroll Implementation Lead in Manchester

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job title Payroll Implementation Lead Job reference REQ012964 Date posted 28/10/2026 Application closing date 25/11/2026 Location Manchester Salary £55,000 - £58,000 per annum Package Competitive Benefits plus Local Government Pension Scheme Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Human Resources Attachments Payroll Implementation Lead - People First.pdf Job description

Job description

Are you an experienced Payroll Lead Implementation looking to make a real impact?

We are embarking on our system transformation journey and it’s an exciting time to join the People team. We are looking for a Payroll Implementation Lead, to oversee the payroll implementation workstream for our new HR & Payroll system. We are moving to People First, and this is a great opportunity to lead with the successful set-up, mobilisation and early-life stabilisation of the new real-time payroll system.

Reporting to the Group Director of Human Resource, you will play a key role in our project team acting as the payroll subject matter expert. You will lead our implementation activity, translating UK payroll legislation, organisational policy and operational requirements into the standardised system rules, workflows, controls and test scenarios.

This is a fixed term opportunity (12 months), working full-time (37 hours per week) with hybrid working, two days per week based on site at our Openshaw campus in Manchester.

The Opportunity

In line with implementation best practice, the role will focus on adopting and optimising payroll functionality while identifying opportunities to streamline and improve our processes. Responsibility for business-as-usual payroll and pensions operations, including iTrent, payroll delivery, compliance, and team management, will remain with the Payroll & Pensions Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the system payroll implementation workstream, ensuring clear plans, milestones, risks, decisions and dependencies are maintained for configuration, migration, testing, cutover and hypercare.
• Configure, validate and assure the system payroll set-up for payroll elements, pay frequencies, tax and National Insurance settings, statutory payments, deductions, pension schemes, auto-enrolment rules and system controls, using standard functionality wherever possible.
• Ensure implementation decisions support a future operating model based on real-time payroll processing, standardised processes and reduced reliance on manual workarounds or legacy ways of working.
• Lead payroll data mapping, cleansing, migration, validation and reconciliation activities, maintaining clear audit trails and resolving data-quality issues.
• Plan and coordinate payroll user acceptance testing, end-to-end scenario testing and a minimum three-month parallel payroll run, including reconciliation to our existing outputs; record evidence, triage defects and verify corrective action before deployment.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• CIPP Foundation degree in payroll Management qualification or equivalent level of demonstrable professional payroll knowledge and experience.
• Substantial end-to-end UK payroll experience in a complex, high-volume and/or multi-frequency environment.
• Significant hands-on experience of payroll system implementation, transformation or migration, including standard configuration, data conversion, testing, a minimum three-month parallel payroll run, reconciliation to legacy payroll outputs such as iTrent, cutover, go-live support and hypercare.
• Practical knowledge of PAYE, NIC, RTI, statutory payments, deductions, auto-enrolment and payroll controls.
• Experience administering pension deductions and contributions and completing payroll-related returns and reconciliations.
• Experience producing process documentation, audit evidence, user guidance and management information.
• Experience working with suppliers, project teams and senior stakeholders to resolve issues and deliver outcomes to deadline.
• Advanced Excel and data-analysis capability, including the accurate comparison and reconciliation of large datasets.

Benefits

• 28 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (FTE).
• Significant pension contribution.
• Retail discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Who are The LTE Group?

The LTE Group is one of the largest social enterprises in the UK dedicated to lifelong learning; we truly believe in the power of education to change lives. We consist of The Manchester College, MOL, Total People, UCEN Manchester, Novus, and Group Professional Services & Group Operations. We are committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for our learners.

Safeguarding

The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At The LTE Group, we’re committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimisation, where all members of our community are treated with respect and dignity. The LTE Group is committed to working in an inclusive way with all the communities where we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and student community that reflects Greater Manchester’s and the UK’s rich diversity and vibrancy.

The closing date for this job advert is 25/11/2026. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!

#J-18808-Ljbffr