Central Finance and Payroll Manager

Lookers Motor Group Limited; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive retailer is seeking a Central Finance and Payroll Manager to oversee financial control and reporting within their Central Support function. This hybrid role involves collaborating with leadership teams, providing financial guidance, and ensuring compliance with statutory regulations. Candidates should be qualified accountants with strong knowledge of financial processes and excellent stakeholder management skills. The position offers a competitive salary, car allowance, and numerous benefits including flexible working arrangements and health initiatives.

Benefits

Competitive salaries with structured pay scales

Generous annual leave

Enhanced family leave

Access to discounted technology purchases

Discounted gym memberships

Dental insurance

Critical illness cover

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading finance teams.
• Strong knowledge of balance-sheet control and internal controls.
• Advanced ability to interpret financial data and provide actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Maintain financial controls and compliance.
• Oversee budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Partner with leadership teams for financial guidance.
• Lead and manage the month-end and year-end close processes.

Skills

Financial reporting

Stakeholder management

Excel proficiency

Team leadership

Financial data interpretation

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

ERP platforms

Dayforce

Paychex

Ceridian

Workday

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Central Finance and Payroll Manager

Location: Hybrid role with travel

Salary: Per annum (Depending on Experience) with a £6,000 Car Allowance or Company Car

Contract Type: Permanent Full-Time

As Finance and Payroll Manager for Lookers Central Support you will be responsible for ensuring robust financial control, accurate reporting and compliance across the Central Support function.

This role maintains the integrity of financial data, oversees budgeting and forecasting processes, and ensures adherence to internal controls and regulatory requirements. Acting as a key partner to central support teams, the role provides timely financial insights to support decision making and cost management. Additionally, the position drives process efficiency, strengthens governance, and supports the delivery of group financial objectives.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reports for Central Support.
• Maintain robust financial controls and ensure compliance with internal policies, statutory regulations, and audit requirements.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis processes, providing clear insights to support decision‑making.
• Monitor and manage Central Support cost centres, ensuring effective cost control and value for money.
• Partner with Central Support leadership teams to provide financial guidance and challenge on performance and expenditure.
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial data within all systems and processes.
• Lead the month‑end and year‑end close processes for Central Support, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Maintain strong balance‑sheet control, including reconciliations, review of key accounts and resolution of discrepancies.
• Support the preparation of statutory accounts and liaise with external auditors as required.
• Provide financial oversight for project reporting and accounting, ensuring accurate tracking of costs and benefits, compliance with governance requirements and effective review of outputs prepared by the team.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy and governance.
• Lead, mentor and develop team members.
• Provide ad‑hoc financial analysis and reporting to support business initiatives and strategic projects.
• Oversight of monthly payroll.
• Strategic payroll initiatives.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, balance‑sheet control and internal controls.
• Proven experience in leading and developing finance teams.
• Advanced ability to interpret financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Proficiency in financial systems and ERP platforms with strong Excel skills.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to challenge and influence senior leaders.

About Us

We are one of the top three automotive retailers in the UK, proudly representing over 30 manufacturer brands and selling a huge range of new and used vehicles from over 150 dealerships across the UK and Ireland.

We believe our people are our greatest asset and are committed to recognising the valuable contribution each person makes. That’s why we continue to invest in a leading rewards and benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing and life outside of work.

Core Benefits

• Competitive salaries with structured pay scales and progression as you grow within the business
• Generous annual leave that increases with your length of service
• Enhanced family leave, including 6 months full pay for maternity and adoption leave and 2 weeks full pay for paternity leave
• Access to Techscheme for discounted technology purchases with flexible payments

Health & Wellbeing

• Eyecare vouchers to help cover vision care needs
• Smart Health 24/7 access to GP services to support your mental and physical wellbeing
• Dental insurance for everyday dental care and unexpected treatments
• Critical illness cover for peace of mind during life’s most challenging moments

Financial Wellbeing

• MyView PayNow – access a portion of your pay as you earn with features to stream, save and track your money through a user‑friendly app
• Will writing services to help plan for the future
• Flexible life assurance options and partner life assurance for added protection

Leisure & Lifestyle

• Discounted gym memberships to support an active lifestyle
• Travel insurance to help you explore with confidence
• Access to home and technology vouchers
• BYOND card and a wide range of exclusive retail and lifestyle discounts

Equality & Diversity

Lookers and Charles Hurst are an equal‑opportunity employer. We are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination, inclusive, and empowers our people to bring their whole selves to work and reach their full potential.

Hiring Process

If your application is successful, we will conduct relevant employment checks prior to commencing employment. These will include verifying recent employment, address, credit history and a standard criminal record check. For roles that require driving, a driving licence check will also be carried out. All offers of employment are made subject to a 6‑month probation period commencing from your start date.

Required Experience

Manager

Key Skills

Dayforce, Paychex, Payroll Management, Ceridian, Paylocity, SOX, Payroll, ADP, Kronos, Human Resources, JD Edwards, Workday