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- Tasks: Lead and manage payroll for 6,500 salaries and 8,000 pensions monthly.
- Company: Join a large public sector organisation making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £63K, career growth, and a chance to shape payroll services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for leadership and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be the payroll expert and drive efficiency while safeguarding financial integrity.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll management and strong knowledge of HMRC regulations required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 63000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Payroll Manager to lead and manage a complex, high-volume payroll and pensions service within a large public sector environment. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the accurate, timely and fully compliant processing of approximately 6,500 salaries and 8,000 pension payments each month, alongside maintaining robust financial controls and statutory compliance. You will act as the organisation's payroll subject matter expert, providing specialist advice on complex payroll and pensions matters, interpreting legislation, and ensuring adherence to HMRC and other regulatory requirements. A key part of the role is safeguarding the organisation from financial risk, penalties, and reputational impact. This is a pivotal leadership position within a busy finance function, offering the opportunity to shape and improve payroll services that directly impact thousands of employees and pensioners. You will play a key role in driving efficiency, ensuring compliance, and delivering value for money across the service.
Location: London
Salary: £63K Per Year
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the end-to-end payroll and pensions function
- Ensure accurate, timely and compliant payroll processing in line with legislation and organisational policies
- Act as the primary expert for complex payroll queries and statutory interpretation
- Oversee payroll reconciliation, error management, overpayments, and corrective action processes
- Maintain robust internal controls and lead on internal and external audit requirements
- Produce high-quality financial, statutory, and committee-level reports
- Manage Service Level Agreements and relationships with key stakeholders, including schools, partner organisations, and external agencies
- Lead, manage, and develop a specialist payroll team, driving high performance and continuous improvement
- Contribute to savings programmes, financial planning, and service transformation initiatives
- Deputise for the Head of Payroll & Pensions when required
Skills and Experience:
- Strong in-depth knowledge of HMRC regulations, PAYE, National Insurance, and public sector pensions
- Proven experience managing large and complex payroll operations in a high-volume environment
- Experience leading and developing teams effectively in a demanding setting
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
- Confident interpreting complex legislation and ensuring compliance
- Experience working with multiple stakeholders across public sector or large organisations
- Excellent communication, organisational, and IT skills
Requirements:
- Relevant degree or professional payroll/finance qualification OR substantial equivalent experience
- Demonstrable experience managing large-scale payroll and ensuring statutory compliance
- Strong understanding of GDPR, financial regulations, and audit processes
Payroll Manager in London employer: RIBBONS & REEVES HOUSING
Contact Detail:
RIBBONS & REEVES HOUSING Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of HMRC regulations and public sector pensions. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex payroll issues in the past. We want to see your expertise shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! If you’ve led teams or improved processes, share those stories. Employers love to hear about how you’ve driven high performance and continuous improvement in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team and make a difference in payroll services.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Manager role. Highlight your experience with payroll processing, compliance, and team management. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Expertise: In your cover letter, don’t hold back on showcasing your knowledge of HMRC regulations and public sector pensions. We’re keen to see how you can be our go-to expert for complex payroll queries!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. We appreciate a straightforward approach!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at RIBBONS & REEVES HOUSING
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Payroll Manager, you'll be dealing with large volumes of data. Brush up on your knowledge of HMRC regulations, PAYE, and National Insurance. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed payroll operations in the past, including any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities. Think about examples where you've led a team through complex payroll processes or improved efficiency. Be ready to share how you motivate your team and drive high performance, as well as how you handle conflicts or challenges within the team.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Expect questions around statutory compliance and financial controls. Familiarise yourself with recent changes in legislation that could impact payroll processing. Demonstrating your understanding of GDPR and audit processes will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also proactive in safeguarding the organisation.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves managing relationships with various stakeholders, think about how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous roles. Prepare to discuss your communication style and how you ensure that all parties are informed and satisfied with payroll services.