At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll operations and drive transformation in a multi-site environment.
- Company: Purpose-driven organisation focused on payroll and systems modernisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and shape the future of payroll operations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising payroll processes and leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll leadership and strong systems capability required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 € per year.
Location: East Kent / Hybrid
Employment type: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 DOE
Are you a Payroll Manager comfortable operating in complex, multi-site environments? Do you have the credibility to lead both operational delivery and meaningful payroll transformation? Can you simplify legacy processes while improving systems, structure, and team capability?
Sirius Search are partnering with a well-established, purpose-driven, multi-site organisation as they enter a significant phase of payroll and systems transformation. This is a key hire, offering the opportunity to lead both operational delivery and the modernisation of a long-standing payroll function. Reporting into senior finance leadership, the role will play a central part in shaping a more efficient, system-led payroll operation.
The Payroll Manager Role:
- Ownership of the end-to-end payroll function, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely delivery across multiple payroll cycles.
- Leading transformation activity, reviewing existing processes, simplifying legacy practices, and embedding scalable, efficient ways of working.
- Working closely with Finance and HR, supporting system integration and leading a well-established team through a period of change.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ownership of payroll operations across a complex, multi-site environment.
- Leading payroll transformation, including process redesign and system optimisation.
- Simplifying and consolidating multiple payroll cycles.
- Driving improved utilisation of payroll systems and automation.
- Partnering with HR to strengthen payroll/HR system integration.
- Reviewing and modernising legacy payroll rules and practices.
- Leading, developing, and upskilling a payroll team.
- Ensuring full compliance with statutory and audit requirements.
- Providing payroll insight, reporting, and support to financial planning.
- Oversight of pension schemes and auto-enrolment.
As Payroll Manager, you will bring:
- Payroll leadership experience within a complex organisation.
- Strong systems capability, ideally within cloud-based payroll environments.
- Experience managing multiple payroll cycles and legacy structures.
- A track record of delivering process improvement or transformation.
- Strong stakeholder engagement across Finance, HR, and senior leadership.
- Up-to-date knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance.
- The ability to lead and develop teams through change.
- High attention to detail with strong analytical capability.
- A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.
This is an opportunity to shape and modernise a critical function within an organisation, investing in change. The role offers genuine scope to influence systems, processes, and team capability, while working closely with senior stakeholders.
Payroll Manager employer: Sirius-search
Join a well-established, purpose-driven organisation in East Kent as a Payroll Manager, where you will lead transformative payroll initiatives in a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills while driving meaningful change in a complex, multi-site environment. Enjoy a competitive salary and the flexibility of hybrid working, all while contributing to a team that values innovation and efficiency.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the payroll industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with payroll transformation and system optimisation. We want to see how you can simplify processes and lead teams through change, so come prepared with examples that showcase your skills!
✨Research the Company
Before any interview, do your homework on the company’s payroll practices and challenges. Understanding their current systems and how you can contribute to their transformation will show that you’re genuinely interested and ready to make an impact. We love candidates who come in with insights!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else. Let’s get you one step closer to that Payroll Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Payroll Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing payroll operations and any transformation projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've simplified processes or improved systems in previous positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Payroll Manager, you'll be leading a team through change. Make sure to highlight your leadership experience and how you've developed teams in the past. We want to know how you can inspire and upskill others!
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. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sirius-search
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated complex payroll environments in the past, and think about specific examples where you've improved processes or systems.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Payroll Manager, you'll need to lead a team through change. Prepare to share your experiences in developing and upskilling teams, and how you've successfully managed stakeholder engagement across Finance and HR. Highlight any transformation projects you've led.
✨Be Ready for Process Improvement Questions
Expect questions about how you've simplified legacy processes and optimised payroll systems. Have a few concrete examples ready that demonstrate your ability to drive efficiency and modernise operations, especially in multi-site environments.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the role and the company’s future. Inquire about their current payroll challenges or upcoming transformation initiatives. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
