Payroll Manager in Manchester

Job Title: Payroll Manager
Location: Manchester, Mostly remote with occasional office travel
Salary: £75k to 80k per annum
Duration: 1 year fixed term contract initially, transitioning to a permanent role

Morson are partnering with a leading organisation within the engineering, design and consultancy sector to recruit an experienced Payroll Manager to lead its UK&I payroll function.

The organisation operates across a large and complex international environment and has recently transitioned from a bureau model to a managed service arrangement. It is now looking to strengthen its internal payroll leadership, systems and data capability.

This is a key role focused on ensuring a high-quality, accurate and compliant payroll service, while driving further automation, data quality and digital improvements across the function.

The Role

You will take responsibility for the overall UK&I payroll operation, working closely with an external managed service provider and internal stakeholders across People, Finance, Technology and other business functions.

Key responsibilities of the Payroll Manager will include:

• Overseeing end-to-end UK payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely payments.
• Acting as the senior internal escalation point for payroll queries and issues.
• Managing relationships with the external managed service payroll provider.
• Identifying opportunities to improve payroll processes, data quality and automation.
• Developing digital payroll solutions and reporting tools to improve the employee experience.
• Using data analytics, dashboards and controls to monitor payroll data quality and identify issues.
• Monitoring KPIs and service performance, taking action where improvements are required.
• Leading and supporting internal and external payroll specialists.
• Working closely with Technology and other stakeholders on payroll systems, tools and process improvements.
• Keeping up to date with UK payroll legislation and advising stakeholders on compliance requirements.
• Supporting the implementation of new payroll processes and system functionality.
• Sharing payroll knowledge and best practice across the wider People Services function.
• Working across a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation with stakeholders at all levels.

What we’re looking for

You will be an experienced Payroll Manager with a strong understanding of UK payroll and experience operating within a large, complex organisation.

Essential experience includes:

• Significant experience managing UK payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax and compliance requirements.
• Experience working with a managed service provider or outsourced payroll environment.
• Experience managing internal and external payroll teams.
• Experience using iTrent payroll systems is essential and ideally Oracle HCM
• Experience using data and reporting to monitor payroll accuracy and performance.
• Strong Excel and analytical skills.
• Experience improving payroll processes through automation and digital solutions.
• Ability to manage relationships with senior stakeholders and external providers.
• Experience working within a large, complex or matrix organisation.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working within a Shared Services or Centre of Excellence environment would be advantageous.
• A professional payroll qualification such as CIPP would be advantageous.

This role would suit someone who combines strong technical payroll knowledge with experience managing outsourced services, payroll technology and process improvement within a large engineering, design or consultancy environment.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial telephone interview. If selected from the shortlist, a formal interview process will then begin.

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