At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll efficiency and drive continuous improvement in managed services.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company committed to employee growth and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Unlimited paid leave, flexible work schedule, and regular salary reviews.
- Other info: Dynamic team events and perks to celebrate your achievements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on payroll processes while enjoying a vibrant work culture.
- Qualifications: Extensive UK payroll experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
The Principal Payroll Consultant – Managed Services is a senior operational and strategic role responsible for the overall health, efficiency, governance, and growth of managed service payrolls. The role has a strong focus on payroll efficiency, continuous improvement, governance, and commercial insight, using payroll data to optimise delivery, profitability, and customer outcomes. Working closely with Customer Success, Sales, Partnerships, and Payroll Operations, this role ensures payroll services are delivered accurately, efficiently, compliantly, and at scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Payroll Efficiency & Performance
- Own month-on-month analysis of payroll delivery, reviewing estimated vs actual hours across managed payrolls
- Identify inefficiencies, root causes, and opportunities to reduce manual effort and rework
- Deliver continuous improvement initiatives with a target of 15% efficiency savings
- Provide insights to improve cost control, utilisation, and scalability
- Customer Success & Service Delivery
- Support the Payroll Customer Success Manager with issue resolution, service improvements, and customer outcomes
- Contribute to Quarterly Business Reviews and ensure agreed actions are delivered
- Act as an escalation point for complex payroll operational or delivery issues
- Identify and implement improvements across payroll processes, systems, controls, and operating models
- Ensure sustainable adoption of operational changes across the payroll function
- Promote accountability, best practice, and continuous improvement
- Commercial Growth
- Partner with Sales and Partnerships to support BAU payroll growth
- Contribute to monthly revenue discussions, providing insight into operational capacity and service opportunities
- Support upsell and cross-sell opportunities through operational and customer insight
- Payments, Governance & Compliance
- Oversee end-to-end BACS and Faster Payments processes for managed payroll customers
- Ensure strong controls, payment accuracy, and risk management
- Maintain payroll governance standards across Managed Services
- Keep up to date with payroll legislation and coordinate implementation of regulatory changes and team training
- Operational Ownership
- Own the Hypercare to BAU transition process, ensuring smooth onboarding and service stabilisation
- Oversee the Support Desk, ensuring queries remain within agreed scope and identifying improvement opportunities
Qualifications
- Extensive UK payroll experience, ideally in a managed services or outsourced payroll environment
- Strong knowledge of PAYE, statutory deductions, pensions, and payroll compliance
- Proven experience using data and metrics to drive operational efficiency
- Experience overseeing payroll payments (BACS/Faster Payments)
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and analytical skills
- Experience working cross-functionally with operational, customer success, or commercial teams
- Experience with Sage payroll products
- Experience leading Hypercare or onboarding functions
- Experience in multi-client or high-volume payroll environments
Benefits
- Unlimited paid leave (subject to our Annual Leave Policy)
- Bi-annual salary & bonus reviews
- Fully flexible work schedule
- Modern office in Manchester's Northern Quarter
- Access to Perkbox for regular employee discounts
- 24/7 access to virtual GP appointments via Doctor Care Anywhere
- Regular team events and social nights
- Development time and funding
- Regular gifts and perks from Phase 3 to reward outstanding achievements, new members to your family, house moves and big birthdays
- Access to home office equipment
- And many more!
Phase 3 is a Disability Confident employer and we endeavour to recruit from the widest possible pool of suitable candidates. The format of the interview will be - questions based on your experience and the requirements of the role. If you require any adjustments or special arrangements to be made to our application process on account of disability please let us know in advance.
Principal Payroll Consultant (Managed Services) in Manchester employer: Phase 3
At Phase 3, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters continuous improvement and collaboration. Our Manchester office provides a modern environment with unlimited paid leave, flexible work schedules, and numerous employee benefits, including access to virtual GP appointments and regular team events. We are committed to employee growth, providing development time and funding, ensuring that our team members thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Payroll Consultant (Managed Services) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and managed services space. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its culture, especially focusing on their approach to payroll efficiency and customer success. We want you to be able to showcase how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your data skills! Since this role is all about using payroll data to drive efficiency, be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to improve processes in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with solid metrics.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are eager to make an impact in the payroll world.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Payroll Consultant (Managed Services) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Payroll Consultant role. Highlight your experience in payroll efficiency, governance, and any relevant metrics you've driven. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about payroll and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to improve processes and drive results.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role involves using payroll data for insights, make sure to highlight your experience with data analysis. Share examples of how you've used data to optimise delivery or improve efficiency in previous roles. We love numbers!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phase 3
✨Know Your Payroll Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially around PAYE, statutory deductions, and compliance. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics but can also handle the complexities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive operational efficiency in previous roles. Bring specific examples of how you've identified inefficiencies and implemented improvements, as this aligns perfectly with the job's focus on continuous improvement and payroll efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams like Customer Success and Sales. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated across departments in the past, highlighting your communication skills and ability to manage stakeholders effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific payroll challenges or customer issues. Think through potential scenarios and how you would approach them, focusing on your problem-solving skills and commitment to delivering excellent customer outcomes.
