Group Payroll Manager

Grafton Group; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Group Payroll Manager, where you will lead a dedicated team overseeing payroll operations for around 6,000 employees across the UK and Ireland. This role offers a unique opportunity to enhance payroll efficiency and compliance while contributing to a positive employee experience. You will drive process improvements, collaborate with HR systems, and ensure adherence to payroll legislation. With hybrid working options and a supportive environment, this position is perfect for someone looking to make a significant impact in a stable and innovative organization.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension contribution matching scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance (3x salary)

Enhanced family leave policies

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Access to employee benefits platform with discounts

Qualifications

• Experience as a Payroll Manager in a large organization.
• In-depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on team development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of payroll professionals.
• Manage payroll processing for 6,000 employees across the UK and Ireland.
• Ensure compliance with statutory payroll requirements.

Skills

UK payroll legislation

Leadership and team management

Advanced Excel skills

Attention to detail

Continuous improvement mindset

Education

CIPP or CIPD qualification

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

Grafton Group is looking for an experienced and proactive Group Payroll Manager to lead a dedicated team and oversee the payroll operations for around 6,000 employees across the UK and Ireland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in the efficiency, accuracy, and compliance of a core business function - while contributing to the wider employee experience across the Group.

At Grafton Group, we understand the value of a well-run payroll function — not just for compliance but for the confidence and trust it builds with our people. This is a chance to lead a capable team, improve how we work, and be part of a business that genuinely cares about doing things well.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a difference and be trusted to get on with the job, we'd love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing:

● Leading and developing a team of three payroll professionals

● Managing monthly payroll processing for approx. 6,000 employees in the UK and Ireland

● Ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements (HMRC, tax, NI, pensions, etc.)

● Acting as a key point of contact for payroll escalations, audits, and internal stakeholders

● Driving process improvements and identifying automation opportunities

● Collaborating with the HR Systems team to optimise and future-proof payroll systems

● Producing payroll reports, cost summaries and analysis to inform business decisions

● Supporting employees and internal teams with queries around payroll, benefits, and deductions

What we’re looking for:

Essential:

● Demonstrated experience as a Payroll Manager (or equivalent), ideally within a large, multi-site organisation

● In-depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation

● Leadership experience with a proven ability to manage, coach, and develop a team

● A continuous improvement mindset with the ability to drive process and systems enhancements

● Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy

● Advanced Excel skills and confidence in handling data

Desirable:

● Irish payroll knowledge

● CIPP or CIPD qualification (or similar)

What we offer:

● Competitive salary and bonus structure

● Hybrid working: 3 days in our Wythall office, 2 days from home

● 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

● Pension contribution matching scheme

● Health cash plan and life assurance (3x salary)

● Enhanced family leave policies

● Access to our internal employee benefits platform with retail discounts and perks

● Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Why Join Grafton Group?

As a leading distributor of building materials and home improvement products,Grafton Groupoperates across the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe. We have a proud heritage and a reputation for innovation, quality, and service. Our brands are household names in their sectors, and our people are the foundation of our continued success.

Working with us means joining a values-led, supportive business that offers real scope forinfluence and impact. We invest in our people, encourage team collaboration, and actively champion continuous improvement. You’ll join a stable, growing company where your expertise will be valued, and your voice heard.