Payroll Delivery Lead £460 per day Outside IR35 6 months further extension Manchester - mix of remote/office based working Our client in Manchester is currently on the lookout for a Payroll Delivery Lead to to join a critical phase of their payroll transformation programme. You will support the project manager by taking ownership for all aspects of the delivery of the new payroll system (Zellis HCM Air - Payroll) including configuration management, parallel run planning/execution and supporting the programme through UAT and go-live readiness. This is a hands-on delivery role ideal for someone who understands payroll in depth, is comfortable working through complexity, and can confidently support both systems and operational teams through a high-pressure delivery window. Main duties and responsibilities: Provide structured, hands-on support to the payroll team throughout delivery Familiarise with the payroll configuration that has been implemented and represent it to all stakeholders Own the planning, coordination, and oversee the execution of any remaining payroll configuration tasks Ensure that all calculations, rules, and integration points are clearly understood and correctly configured Ensure that all configuration is accurately and clearly documented Conduct unit testing across all payroll configuration prior to the commencement of UAT Own the planning, coordination, and execution of payroll parallel runs Support and coordinate extensive UAT across payroll scenarios Ensure appropriate coverage of complex payroll and absence scenarios The following skills and experience will be essential: Strong background in the delivery of payroll systems that are fully integrated into a separate HCM system Experience with Zellis HCM Air - Payroll Proven experience leading or supporting parallel runs and payroll go-live Experience moving from manual to system-driven payroll processes Extensive understanding of payroll processes, including absence and statutory elements Experience working in UAT environments with complex scenarios Confident communicator, able to support and challenge constructively