Assistant Payroll Manager

Lithia UK; Nottingham; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Assistant Payroll Manager to enhance their payroll operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing while leading a dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess extensive payroll knowledge, experience with payroll systems, and strong people management skills. Join a forward-thinking organization that values innovation and personal growth, and be part of a team committed to delivering exceptional employee experiences. Embrace this opportunity to make a significant impact in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Pension

Critical Illness Insurance

Life Assurance

25 Days Holiday

Exclusive Discounts on Cars

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in payroll operations in a high-volume environment.
• Hands-on knowledge of payroll legislation and statutory deductions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate payroll data processing and compliance.
• Manage payroll runs, statutory payments, and reconciliations.

Skills

Payroll Operations

People Management

Payroll Legislation Knowledge

BACS Software

Communication Skills

ResourceLink or SAP

Workday Familiarity

Tools

ResourceLink

SAP

Workday

Job description

Salary: Competitive salary with excellent company benefits

Assistant Payroll Manager (fixed-term 18 months contract)

Lithia UK, Remote

Benefits include: pension, critical illness, life assurance, 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), exclusive discounts on used car purchases and aftersales services

At Lithia UK, we're modernising and elevating our support for employees, with initiatives like our move to Workday. We seek an Assistant Payroll Manager to join our dynamic, high-volume payroll team, supporting the Head of Payroll and leading Payroll and Benefits Administrators. Your role is crucial in ensuring colleagues across the UK are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for someone with strong payroll technical knowledge ready to take ownership in a forward-thinking, people-centric business.

Your Journey as an Assistant Payroll Manager:

• Ensure all payroll data entered—such as leavers, sickness, tax and NI codes, and colleague-funded benefits—is accurate, compliant, and correctly processed.
• Oversee statutory payments like maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave.
• Manage pre- and post-payroll checks, reconcile BACS payments, ensure compliance with minimum wage laws, and submit accurate payments on time.
• Handle reconciliations for pensions, PAYE, salary sacrifice, vouchers, and court orders; ensure timely submissions to HMRC and L&G.
• Lead P11D preparation and submission; handle company car and benefits queries confidently.
• Respond to payroll-related queries from colleagues, managers, HR, and senior stakeholders professionally.
• Coach and develop Payroll and Benefits Administrators, manage appraisals, and support ongoing development.
• Assist with salary reviews, year-end processes, system testing, and other projects as needed.

Are you ready to embrace the challenge? We look for someone with:

• Extensive experience in payroll operations, preferably in a high-volume, multi-site environment.
• Experience with payroll systems like ResourceLink or SAP; familiarity with Workday is desirable and ability to learn new tools quickly.
• A confident people manager capable of coaching, supporting, and motivating a busy team.
• Proven ability to work efficiently under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and maintain composure.
• Hands-on knowledge of payroll legislation, P11D requirements, and statutory deductions.
• Experience with BACS software and managing payroll runs from start to finish.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a customer-first approach.

At Lithia UK, our growth is driven by our people:

As a leading automotive retailer, we're passionate about transforming transportation and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Our core values—Earn Customers for Life, Improve Constantly, Take Personal Ownership, and Have Fun!—guide us. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation, personal growth, and collective success. If you're eager to make a meaningful impact in an empowering environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Diversity is Our Strength:

Lithia UK values diversity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds and communities. If you have the motivation, skills, and potential we're seeking, get in touch. We are an equal opportunities employer.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive employee benefits