Head of Payroll

Head of Payroll

£35.88 per hour PAYE | £48.99 per hour Umbrella

Location:

London / Hybrid – 1 day a week onsite

Contract:

end Date February 2027 – possible extension beyond this

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Head of Payroll to join a large and complex organisation in London on a hybrid basis.

This is a senior payroll leadership role with responsibility for the overall accuracy, compliance and delivery of UK and overseas payroll, alongside leading a team and driving continuous improvement across the payroll function.

Key responsibilities

* Lead and manage the payroll team, ensuring accurate and timely payroll delivery

* Oversee monthly payroll, gross-to-net sign-off, HMRC/statutory submissions and year-end processes

* Manage pension auto-enrolment, payroll deductions, reconciliations and third-party payments

* Ensure robust payroll controls, procedures, audit compliance and exception reporting

* Drive process improvement, efficiency and payroll transformation

* Work closely with HR, Finance, senior stakeholders, auditors and external providers

* Manage complex payroll issues and ensure a high-quality, customer-focused service

* Lead and support change across payroll systems, processes and ways of working

About you

We're looking for an experienced payroll leader with:

* Significant experience managing complex, high-volume payroll operations

* Strong UK payroll, HMRC, pensions and statutory compliance knowledge

* Experience leading and developing payroll teams

* Proven experience delivering payroll process improvement and change

* Strong reconciliation, controls and audit experience

* Excellent stakeholder management skills, including the confidence to influence and challenge senior stakeholders

* Experience working across multiple HR/payroll systems

* A calm, solutions-focused approach and the ability to perform under pressure

* CIPP Foundation Degree and Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt

This is an excellent opportunity for a Head of Payroll looking for a challenging leadership position within a large and complex organisation.

Interested? Apply now or contact us for a confidential discussion