Payroll Manager (Implementation)

Payroll Manager (Implementation)

Temporary 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
VanRath Search & Selection

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead high-volume payroll operations and ensure smooth implementation of payroll processes.
  • Company: Join a trusted UK provider of payroll services with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, and flexible working arrangements.
  • Other info: Initial 12-16 month contract with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in payroll transformation and enhance your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Strong payroll knowledge and experience in managing complex payroll operations required.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

Payroll Manager (Implementation) (JSG910) Belfast, Northern Ireland

Are you ready to play a vital role in the effective end-to-end delivery, control and continuous improvement of high-volume payroll services in one of the most trusted UK providers of payroll services?

This role will initially be on a 12-16 month contract basis, well suited to a senior payroll professional who can take ownership in the role from day one.

Salary and Benefits

  • Competitive salary DOE
  • Generous holiday entitlement
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Initial 12-16 month Fixed-Term Contract

About you

  • Strong practical payroll knowledge gained through significant payroll leadership or senior payroll specialist experience.
  • Evidence of continued professional development in payroll, people management, service delivery, compliance or systems/change activity.
  • Significant experience managing or leading high-volume payroll operations within a complex service delivery environment.
  • Strong understanding of payroll processing, controls, reconciliations, statutory requirements, audit evidence and payroll governance.
  • Experience leading Team Leaders, payroll specialists or operational teams, including managing performance, priorities and service standards.
  • Strong understanding of payroll systems, data flows, interfaces, reporting, payment files and process controls.
  • Recognised payroll qualification or professional membership, such as CIPP or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Leadership, management, project/change management or systems implementation training.
  • Experience supporting payroll transformation, system implementation, configuration, testing, parallel runs, cutover, go-live or hypercare activity.
  • Experience working with public sector payrolls or large-scale outsourced/shared services environments.
  • Experience of using Oracle payroll systems, preferably Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM Payroll, including payroll processing, payroll validation/reconciliation, reporting and working with integrated HR/payroll data.

What you'll do

  • Contribute payroll subject matter expertise to the design and development of future-state payroll processes, controls, workflows, reporting and operating procedures.
  • Support payroll system configuration decisions by advising on payroll rules, pay elements, deductions, pension requirements, statutory payments, approval points, audit requirements and downstream outputs.
  • Review and validate payroll process maps, standard operating procedures, control frameworks, cut-off calendars and payroll cycle documentation before implementation.
  • Define, prepare and execute payroll test scenarios, including unit testing, system integration testing, parallel runs, user acceptance testing and regression testing.
  • Review test outputs, identify discrepancies, support defect investigation and ensure payroll issues are resolved before go-live.
  • Support data migration and data validation activity, including checking payroll master data, pay elements, deductions, pension indicators, year-to-date balances, costing structures and other payroll-critical data.
  • Provide clear direction to Payroll Team Leaders and payroll colleagues on priorities, deadlines, quality standards, payroll controls and service expectations.
  • Embed robust payroll controls across the payroll lifecycle, including input validation, approvals, segregation of duties, audit trails, reconciliations and sign-off evidence.
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Payroll Manager (Implementation) employer: VanRath Search & Selection

Join a forward-thinking public sector body in Ballymena, where your role as a Workforce Planning Advisor will be integral to shaping workforce strategies that enhance community services. With a commitment to employee well-being, flexible working arrangements, and continuous professional development, this organisation fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying generous holiday entitlements.

VanRath Search & Selection

Contact Details:

VanRath Search & Selection Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager (Implementation)

Join Financial Networking Events

Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.

Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance

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Connect with Alumni from Your Uni

Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.

Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like VanRath Search & Selection might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager (Implementation)

Payroll Knowledge
Leadership Skills
Service Delivery Management
Compliance Understanding
High-Volume Payroll Operations
Payroll Processing
Audit Evidence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at VanRath Search & Selection will be keen to see in your application.

Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at VanRath Search & Selection. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give VanRath Search & Selection confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at VanRath Search & Selection

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with VanRath Search & Selection.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure VanRath Search & Selection that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.