Payroll Manager

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager with strong technical and legislative expertise to play a key role in the delivery, governance, and continuous improvement of payroll services across Uniper in the UK. This is a senior individual contributor role, suited to someone who brings deep payroll knowledge, confidence operating in regulated environments, and the ability to influence payroll outcomes through expertise. You will act as a subject‐matter expert for payroll operations, compliance, systems, and data integrity, working closely with HR, Finance, HR IT, and external providers. This is a fixed‐term role covering a maternity working part‐time, 18.5 hours per week over 3 days.

Responsibilities

• Own the accurate and compliant delivery of payroll processing, including complex and non‐standard payments, statutory deductions, reconciliations, and payroll validation.
• Provide expert oversight of payroll governance, ensuring compliance with HMRC legislation, employment law, internal controls, and audit requirements, including monthly BACS verification.
• Lead payroll data integrity, analysis, and reporting, supporting audits, statutory submissions, cost transparency, and informed decision making.
• Act as a technical authority on payroll systems, supporting and validating system changes, SAP patch testing, and enhancements to ensure payroll accuracy and control.
• Drive continuous improvement of payroll processes, documentation and controls, identifying risks, inefficiencies and opportunities to strengthen delivery.
• Provide expert advice and resolution for complex payroll queries, acting as an escalation point for employees and internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain and lead updates to payroll policies and procedures, including implementation of legislative changes like payrolling of benefits.

Why this role

• A senior, specialist position with real influence over payroll quality, compliance, and systems.
• Opportunity to shape payroll governance and continuous improvement rather than purely transactional delivery.
• Close partnership with HR, Finance, and IT in a complex, regulated environment.
• A role suited to experienced payroll professionals who value technical depth, ownership and accountability.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Payroll Manager role, with demonstrable responsibility for complex payroll delivery and compliance.
• In‐depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory deductions, HMRC requirements and payroll governance.
• Strong technical experience with payroll and financial systems (e.g. SAP), including reconciliations, data validation, reporting and system testing.
• Proven ability to interpret payroll data, identify risks or discrepancies and provide clear, evidence‐based recommendations.
• Sound understanding of HR reward and employment administration within a regulated organisational environment.
• Relevant professional training or qualifications in payroll, HR, finance, or equivalent practical experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Personal development and learning opportunities
• Enhanced company pension – with up to 12% company contributions
• 26 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Electric vehicle charging at our sites
• In‐house occupational health services
• Company‐funded private medical insurance including free GP service
• Performance‐related benefits
• Access to a range of flexible benefits such as Share Incentive Plan, dental, critical illness and life insurance, Cycle2Work, or buy and sell extra holiday
• Future career opportunities (UK & International) with a strong focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion