Payroll Manager

Sheridan Maine is delighted to be partnering with a well-established organisation to recruit an experienced Payroll Manager to join their Finance team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and technically strong payroll professional to take ownership of a busy payroll function, overseeing the accurate and timely payment of approximately 2,000 employees across multiple pay groups.

Offering remote-first working, with office attendance in Dorset typically twice a month, this role provides a great balance of flexibility, responsibility and the opportunity to make a real impact.

Applicants must be based in Dorset or Hampshire. Key responsibilities of the Payroll Manager will include:

• Managing the end-to-end payroll process for approximately 2,000 employees across multiple payrolls.
• Leading, supporting and developing a small payroll team.
• Ensuring accurate processing of salaries, overtime, allowances, deductions and statutory payments.
• Maintaining compliance with HMRC, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and employment legislation.
• Overseeing payroll reconciliations, statutory reporting, year-end processes and audits.
• Managing payroll systems, including testing, updates and improvements.
• Working closely with HR, Finance and senior stakeholders to provide technical payroll advice and support.
• Identifying opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls and improve efficiencies.

The successful Payroll Manager will have:

• Proven experience managing a complex, high-volume payroll function, ideally within a large organisation.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory payments and pension administration.
• Previous experience leading and developing a payroll team.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a genuine interest in improving payroll processes and systems.
• Experience using Dayforce would be particularly advantageous, although not essential.
• CIPP qualifications would be beneficial but are not essential.

What's on offer:

• Competitive salary of £45,000-£50,000.
• Remote‑first working, with typically two days per month in the Dorset office, plus occasional team days.
• The opportunity to manage a sizeable payroll function within an established organisation.
• A varied role combining hands‑on payroll management, team leadership and continuous improvement.

If you're an experienced Payroll Manager looking for a new challenge with excellent flexibility, we'd love to hear from you.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK full‑time without restriction.