Payroll Manager
12-Month Fixed Term Contract | Hybrid (2-3 days per week in Cardiff)
We're partnering with an excellent, well-established organisation to recruit an experienced Payroll Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who enjoys managing people, ensuring operational excellence, and delivering a high-quality payroll service within a shared services environment.
You'll take ownership of payroll delivery for the UK workforce, leading a small, established team and working closely with Finance and wider stakeholders to ensure accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.
The Role
As Payroll Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management and performance of the payroll function, including:
Leading and supporting a team of Senior Payroll Officers, Senior Administrators and temporary staff
Overseeing end-to-end UK payroll processing in a high-volume environment
Ensuring all payroll data is accurate, compliant, and delivered to agreed deadlines
Completing and reviewing payroll checks prior to submission
Managing BACS payments to employees, HMRC and third-party bodies
Authorising payroll payments in collaboration with Finance
Maintaining and reconciling General Ledger payroll entries and resolving exceptions
Monitoring legislative and policy changes, ensuring payroll processes remain compliant
Supporting audit activity and process reviews, including engagement with external consultants
Acting as a key point of contact for payroll-related queries that impact pay, tax or benefits
This role requires someone who is confident, grounded and personable, with the ability to lead calmly and effectively through a fixed-term period of change.
What We're Looking For
Proven experience in a UK Payroll Manager or Payroll Operations Manager role
Strong people leadership skills with experience managing mixed-level payroll teams
Demonstrable experience working within a shared services payroll model
Exposure to high-volume payrolls
Solid understanding of UK payroll legislation, pensions and auto-enrolment
Experience of payrolling benefits and P11Ds (at a working knowledge level)
High attention to detail and strong governance mindset
Confident communicator, able to work collaboratively across functions
What's on Offer
12-month fixed-term contract
Hybrid working - 2-3 days per week in Cardiff
Opportunity to lead an established payroll function within a respected organisation
Supportive, professional working environment
If you're an experienced payroll leader looking for a well-defined fixed-term opportunity where you can make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
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