Payroll Manager in Leeds

As one of the UK’s leading audit and advisory firms, KPMG offers a lively, complex and fast-paced environment. This Grade C leadership role provides high-level operational leadership within the Payroll Department, working as part of KPMG Group Corporate Services and playing a key role in ensuring the payroll service is accurate, compliant, resilient and trusted by the firm.

The role is responsible for leading key aspects of the monthly payroll cycle, providing direction and support to colleagues, and taking ownership of performance, service quality and continuous improvement across assigned areas. KPMG payroll pays almost 16,000 people each month, and the Payroll Manager plays a critical leadership role in ensuring colleagues are paid accurately, on time and in line with relevant legislation, policy and controls.

As part of the Finance team, the Payroll Department is responsible for the regular monthly payment of over 16,000 UK employees. The Payroll Manager is expected to lead with confidence, judgement and accountability, working closely with a 16-person payroll team and stakeholders across KPMG’s UK offices to deliver a high-quality payroll service.

What will you be doing?

• Lead and take primary accountability for assigned payroll processes, ensuring colleagues are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain a strong awareness of current and future PAYE developments, regulatory change, payroll software enhancements and internal policy decisions, translating these into clear guidance and effective operational practice for the team.
• Oversee payroll controls and audit activity to support compliance with HMRC, The Pensions Regulator and other relevant governing bodies.
• Review current processes, identify opportunities for improvement and lead the implementation of new ways of working that improve quality, efficiency, control and colleague experience.
• Have knowledge/experience of accounting practices and be confident managing payroll balance sheet ledgers.
• Build effective working relationships with other GCS teams and wider stakeholders to ensure the timely and accurate flow of data and information, while maintaining a strong understanding of systems and processes that connect with payroll activity.
• Lead the timely and satisfactory resolution of payroll queries, ensuring appropriate prioritisation, escalation and communication.
• Ensure employee queries relating to monthly pay and tax status are responded to within SLA and to a consistently high standard.
• Provide expert support and decision-making on complex payroll queries requiring detailed PAYE knowledge.
• Lead by example within the payroll team, promoting a best-practice model of payroll delivery through knowledge sharing, collaboration, ownership of complex issues and effective allocation of routine and ad-hoc work.
• Provide day-to-day people leadership for direct reports, including regular documented 1-2-1s, clear objectives, coaching, training, performance management and development support.
• Strengthen the team’s knowledge base by contributing to and maintaining current procedures, rules and policies so that consistent, accurate advice is provided at all times.

What will you need to do it?

• Significant Payroll experience.
• Experience of people management or leadership experience, with the ability to coach, develop and performance manage team members effectively.
• An excellent level of computer literacy, with advanced knowledge of payroll software packages.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to explain complex payroll matters clearly to colleagues, leaders and stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, combined with the ability to identify risk, challenge errors and maintain strong controls.
• Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions and maintain service quality under pressure and against tight deadlines.
• Strong initiative, resilience and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands and support the team through periods of peak workload.
• Confidence working with multiple stakeholders across different Capabilities, using judgement and credibility to influence outcomes and resolve issues.
• A strong customer-service mindset, balanced with leadership confidence, ownership, resilience and the ability to drive tasks through to completion.
• CIPP Qualification is desirable.