Payroll Manager

Company: Hays Accountancy and Finance
Apply for the Payroll Manager
Location: Central London
Job Description:

Job Description

n We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead the delivery of payroll, pensions, and benefits administration within a complex and fast-paced organisation. This is a key role responsible for ensuring accurate payroll processing, maintaining compliance with payroll legislation, managing pension obligations, and acting as the subject-matter expert for all payroll-related matters.

n Working closely with HR, Finance, and payroll providers, you will drive continuous improvement across payroll processes while delivering an exceptional employee experience.

n Duties include;

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  • Manage the end-to-end payroll function, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of monthly, weekly, and ad-hoc payrolls.
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  • Ensure compliance with all payroll legislation, HMRC regulations, statutory payments, and reporting requirements.
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  • Act as the subject-matter expert for payroll, pensions, tax, and benefits matters across the organisation.
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  • Manage and maintain payroll and HR systems, ensuring data integrity, accurate configuration, and continuous process improvement.
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  • Oversee pension administration, including auto-enrolment, monthly reconciliations, pension submissions, and liaison with pension providers.
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  • Review and authorise payroll calculations including starters, leavers, salary changes, overtime, bonuses, absence payments, deductions, and statutory payments.
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  • Reconcile payroll outputs, pension contributions, payroll journals, and third-party payments.
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  • Produce and submit statutory returns including P11Ds, PAYE, National Insurance, salary sacrifice arrangements, and year-end processes.
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  • Manage relationships with payroll providers, HMRC, pension administrators, and other external stakeholders.
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  • Investigate and resolve complex payroll queries, ensuring a high level of customer service for employees and managers.
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  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve payroll policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.
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  • Support internal and external audits, ensuring payroll records are accurate, compliant, and audit-ready.
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  • Produce payroll reports, management information, and data analysis to support business decision-making.
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  • Lead on payroll projects, system upgrades, implementations, and process improvement initiatives.
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  • Work closely with HR, Finance, and operational teams to ensure seamless employee life cycle processing and accurate payroll data.
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  • Manage payroll-related benefits administration, including salary sacrifice schemes, cycle-to-work programmes, and healthcare benefits.
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  • Ensure payroll deadlines are communicated effectively and adhered to across the organisation.
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  • Train, coach, and provide guidance to payroll and HR colleagues on payroll processes, legislation, and best practice.
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  • Identify and mitigate payroll risks, ensuring robust controls are in place to maintain accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
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n You will have:

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  • Significant payroll and pensions management experience.
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  • Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory payments, and compliance requirements.
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  • Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.
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  • Proven experience using Midland iTrent or similar HR/Payroll systems.
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  • Strong reconciliation, reporting, and problem-solving skills.
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  • Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex payroll queries.
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  • Superb stakeholder management and communication skills.
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  • A confidential, proactive, and customer-focused approach.
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n If you have all of the above and seeking a new challenge, then please apply now !

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Posted: October 20th, 2026