Payroll Manager – 12 Month maternity cover contract
PTSG Group is a fast‑growing, multi‑division organisation employing over 3,200 colleagues across 26 payroll entities. We operate in a dynamic, acquisition‑driven environment and deliver both weekly and monthly payrolls across the UK.
We are seeking an experienced Group Payroll Manager (12 month Maternity Cover contract) to lead our central payroll function on a fixed‑term basis.
Reporting to the Group HR Director, this role oversees a team of three payroll professionals.
Although the Group has circa 3270 employees and you will be responsible for overseeing the payroll for circa 2500 employees, further integrations will take place over the course of the contract.
This is a full time role, working 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. You will be based from our Castleford head office (WF10 5HW).
This role would suit an experienced Payroll professional with proven experience managing complex, multi-entity payroll operations.
What you will be doing:
Lead, manage, and support a team of three payroll specialists, ensuring continuity and high performance.
HRIS project experience managing and maintaining payroll system and driving continuous improvements
Oversee end‑to‑end processing of all weekly and monthly payrolls across 21 payroll companies, covering approx. 2,500 employees.
Maintain and enhance payroll controls, processes, and documentation across the Group.
Manage payroll calendars, deadlines, and workload planning to ensure smooth operations.
Ensure full compliance with HMRC legislation, RTI submissions, pension regulations, and statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, etc.).
Oversee PAYE, NI, student loans, attachment of earnings, and other statutory deductions.
Manage year‑end processes including P60s, P11Ds, and reconciliation activities.
Support payroll system optimisation, integrations, and upgrades as required during the fixed‑term period.
Assist with onboarding newly acquired businesses into Group payroll processes.
Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and enhance data accuracy.
Work closely with HR, Finance, and IT to ensure data integrity and efficient cross‑departmental processes.
Act as the primary point of contact for payroll queries across the Group.
Provide clear reporting and analysis to senior leadership, including payroll costs, trends, and variances.
Skills & Experience
Proven experience managing complex, multi‑entity payroll operations at scale (2,000+ employees).
Strong leadership experience, ideally managing a small team.
Excellent knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
Experience with both weekly and monthly payroll cycles.
Strong systems capability; experience with payroll system transitions or integrations is advantageous.
High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to accuracy.
Ability to work under pressure, manage competing deadlines, and adapt to change.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
What in it for you?
A competitive salary
25 days holiday + bank holidays
Life assurance
Company pension scheme
Discounts on everyday shopping, fashion, tech, holidays, meals out, gyms & more
On-site parking
A supportive, friendly office culture, and plenty of chances to learn
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