Payroll Manager

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 P11

Ds (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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