Head of Payroll

Hartford Care Ltd; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartford Care Group is seeking a Head of Payroll to own accurate, controlled and timely payroll across all employees and homes. You’ll lead a payroll function of four, report to the CFO, and provide workforce reporting that supports Finance, HR and operations.

You’ll drive end-to-end payroll delivery, ensure compliance with HMRC, PAYE, NI and pensions, maintain data integrity across HR, rostering and time-recording systems, and develop controls and reconciliations.

Qualifications

• CIPP payroll qualification (or equivalent) is required.
• Significant payroll leadership experience in a complex, multi-site organisation with high volumes and tight deadlines.
• Proven end-to-end payroll delivery including reconciliations, sign-off and gross-to-net accuracy.
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, NI, pensions, statutory payments and payroll audit readiness.

Responsibilities

• Own Group payroll across all entities with timetables, cut-offs, approvals and final payment controls.
• Establish payroll controls, reconciliations and exception reporting; investigate variances before payment.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and year-end reporting.
• Maintain payroll data integrity across HR, rostering and time-recording systems.
• Lead the Payroll Manager and team with clear standards, deadlines and coverage.
• Produce workforce reporting on FTE, vacancies, overtime, absence, pay trends and payroll-to-revenue ratios.
• Support workforce planning, budgeting and forecasting with pay cost analysis.
• Maintain controls over payroll bank files, payment approvals and access rights.
• Improve payroll processes and systems, reducing manual intervention and increasing resilience.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters.

Skills

Payroll leadership

End-to-end payroll

HR data integration

Analytical thinking

Education

CIPP payroll qualification

Job description

Hartford Care Group is looking for a Head of Payrollto own accurate, controlled and timely payroll across all employees and homes. You’ll lead a payroll function of four, report directly to the CFO, and provide the workforce reporting that supports Finance, HR and operational leadership.

What you’ll be doing

• Owning Group payroll across all entities, including timetables, cut-offs, approvals, sign-off and final payment controls
• Establishing payroll controls, reconciliations and exception reporting, with variances investigated before payment
• Taking responsibility for compliance with HMRC, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments and year-end reporting
• Owning payroll data integrity across HR, rostering, time-recording and payroll systems
• Leading the Payroll Manager and team, with clear standards, deadlines and cover for critical activities
• Producing workforce reporting on FTE, vacancies, overtime, absence, pay trends and payroll-to-revenue ratios
• Supporting workforce planning, budgeting and forecasting with reliable pay cost analysis
• Maintaining controls over payroll bank files, payment approvals and access rights
• Improving payroll processes and systems, reducing manual intervention and increasing resilience
• Acting as the senior point of escalation for complex payroll matters

What we’re looking for

• CIPP payroll qualification or an equivalent recognised payroll qualification
• Significant payroll leadership experience in a complex, multi-site organisation with high employee volumes and tight deadlines
• A proven record of end-to-end payroll delivery, including reconciliations, sign-off and gross-to-net accuracy
• Strong working knowledge of PAYE, NI, pensions, statutory payments, deductions and benefits, with experience keeping payroll audit-ready
• Experience of managing payroll data across HR, rostering and time-recording systems
• The analytical ability to explain payroll movements and workforce cost trends clearly