Payroll Operations Manager in Cardiff

Do you have experience managing end-to-end UK payroll within a large or complex organisation?

Can you combine detailed payroll expertise with strong governance, systems and stakeholder management?

Are you motivated by the opportunity to modernise payroll through automation, data and continuous improvement?

MacGregor Black are partnering with a leading technology-led engineering organisation on the search for a Payroll Operations Manager. This is a permanent role based in Didcot.

The Payroll Operations Manager will take ownership of the accurate and timely delivery of payroll across the organisation, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and maintaining strong governance and control.

Alongside overseeing business-as-usual payroll delivery, you will lead improvements across systems, data, automation and reporting. You will act as the organisation’s payroll subject-matter expert and work closely with People Services, Finance, Tax and People Systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the accurate and timely delivery of end-to-end payroll for all UK employees.
• Oversee calculations relating to salaries, overtime, bonuses, allowances, deductions and statutory payments.
• Ensure continued compliance with HMRC legislation, pension regulations and statutory reporting requirements.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including P60s, P11Ds and tax-year submissions.
• Support the implementation and ongoing management of payrolled benefits.
• Maintain secure and accurate payroll data in accordance with data-protection requirements.
• Work with People Systems to strengthen integrations, improve data integrity and optimise payroll workflows.
• Manage relationships with external payroll, pension and technology providers.
• Act as the principal point of contact for payroll-related queries, reporting and specialist advice.
• Provide accurate payroll information to Finance for budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Establish and maintain robust payroll controls, governance and risk-management processes.
• Lead payroll activity relating to internal and external audits.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve payroll efficiency.
• Use data analytics, exception reporting and anomaly detection to improve accuracy and control.
• Lead, support and develop the payroll team while building wider payroll capability across People Services.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll operations within a large or complex organisation.
• Detailed knowledge of UK payroll legislation, taxation, pensions and statutory reporting.
• Experience leading, managing or developing payroll colleagues.
• Strong payroll systems knowledge and advanced competence using Microsoft Excel.
• Experience working with Finance, Tax, HR systems and wider People teams.
• A strong understanding of payroll controls, governance and audit requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and attention-to-detail skills.
• The ability to manage competing deadlines while maintaining a consistently high level of accuracy.
• A continuous-improvement mindset, with an interest in automation, AI and payroll technology.
• CIPP qualification or equivalent experience would be advantageous.
• Experience with platforms such as Workday, SAP, ADP or similar would be beneficial.
• Experience within a multi-site, multi-contract or similarly complex environment would be advantageous.

£65-75k plus benefits

For more information, please contact Alice Redmond.