Operations Manager - Payroll Services in Swindon

It’s an exciting time to join UKSBS as we transform our business to be the leading UK public sector business service provider. We aim to become a very different organisation over the next few years as we move to a modern multi-platform, digitally enabled organisation. We are now seeking an experienced operations manager to join our Payroll Services Team.

As Operations Manager, Payroll Services, you will play a strategic role in leading the end‑to‑end payroll operations across multiple clients. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead the day‑to‑day operations of payroll services across multiple platforms and clients, ensuring seamless and accurate processing in line with the payroll deadline calendar.
• Provide effective team management and leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to our clients and end users including achievement of the agreed SLAs, KPIs and other delivery targets.
• Actively contribute to UKSBS’s strategic direction by aligning payroll services with organisational objectives and transformation initiatives.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to team managers, ensuring the development of high-performing teams.
• Effectively manage, motivate and inspire your team to deliver consistently high levels of performance and support continuous improvement.

To do this role well, you would need to demonstrate the following:

• Ensure that all payroll processes meet regulatory, statutory, and contractual requirements, delivering an efficient, compliant, and high-quality service.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, third‑party providers, and cross‑functional teams within UKSBS.
• Drive continuous improvement by analysing service delivery trends and implementing initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with the Payroll Specialist Manager to support the transition to new technologies and digital solutions, ensuring that payroll processes align with UKSBS’s evolving ERP and automation strategies.
• Act as a key liaison with Finance, HR, Customer Support Services, and other business areas to resolve complex payroll-related challenges.
• Own compliance documentation, including process maps, desk notes, and audit recommendations.
• Identify and proactively manage risks, ensuring they are recorded and addressed in the risk register as appropriate.
• Lead and support your managers to develop a working environment where staff are engaged, valued, supported and enabled to contribute to the success of the service.

To do this role well, you would need to demonstrate the following:

• Previous experience managing payroll services for large or multiple organisations.
• Experience in leading and developing teams within a payroll or service delivery environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build partnerships at senior levels.
• Demonstrated ability to drive performance improvements and successfully manage change.
• Expertise in data analysis, reporting, and decision‑making based on evidence.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to manage complex service delivery issues.
• Strong digital capability, with proficiency in MSO 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and experience leveraging technology to improve processes.
• Proactive leadership style, with the ability to foster an inclusive and high‑performing culture.
• Minimum of GCSE Maths and English (A‑C) or equivalent.
• Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) qualification would be advantageous.
• Experience in working with Oracle or similar ERP platforms.
• Background in Shared Services or outsourced service delivery models.
• Experience managing third‑party suppliers and external partnerships.

For additional information and a confidential discussion please contact our Recruitment Team on recruiting@uksbs.co.uk. We are an inclusive and Disability Confident employer and welcome all applications. Find out more about our equality, diversity and inclusion commitments on our website. UKSBS does not hold a Home Office Sponsor Licence under the UK Immigration System, therefore candidates are required to have eligibility to live and work in the UK prior to applying. We look forward to hearing from you. We are UKSBS. We are creating a place where people love to work, a culture where we lead, we change, we deliver and we empower our people to be curious, take action and add value.