Head of Payroll

KennedyPearce Consulting; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Generous employee discount on products

Flexible working hours

22–25 days annual leave plus bank hols

Job summary

KennedyPearce Consulting is partnering with a well-established, multi-site consumer business to appoint their first Head of Payroll. This hybrid role (3 days in the office) leads an in-house payroll function for ~200 employees and drives the transition from outsourced to in-house processing, with a focus on governance and best practice.

You will deliver end-to-end payroll, including commissions and TRONC, and shape payroll strategy while collaborating across Finance and HR for scalable growth.

Qualifications

• Significant end-to-end payroll experience, operating at Payroll Manager, Head of Payroll or equivalent level.
• Experience leading or playing a significant role in bringing payroll in-house or implementing a payroll system.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, governance, controls and compliance.
• Experience within a multi-site environment, ideally across retail, hospitality, leisure, beauty or another customer-facing business.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the payroll function, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of end-to-end payroll for approximately 200 employees.
• Process payroll for a combination of permanent employees and self-employed workers, including commissions, variable pay and TRONC arrangements.
• Lead the transition from an outsourced payroll model to a fully in-house payroll function.
• Evaluate, select and oversee the implementation of a new payroll system, working closely with the Finance Director.
• Develop and implement robust payroll processes, controls and governance frameworks to support business growth.
• Act as the organisation's payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance on payroll legislation, compliance and best practice.
• Partner closely with Finance, HR and operational teams to ensure payroll integrates seamlessly across the business.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, process optimisation and technology.
• Ensure payroll remains fully compliant with current legislation, HMRC requirements and internal policies.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Head of Payroll experience

Payroll legislation/compliance

Stakeholder management

Strategic mindset

Hands-on leadership

Job description

Salary: £65,000-£80,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Working Pattern: Hybrid (3 days in the office)

We are partnering with a well-established, multi-site consumer business to appoint their first Head of Payroll.

This is a rare opportunity to establish and lead an in-house payroll function for a recognised British brand as it transitions away from an outsourced payroll provider. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, with a dotted line into the Head of HR, you will take full ownership of payroll strategy and operations, leading the implementation of a new payroll system while building robust processes, controls and governance to support the future growth of the business.

Initially, this will be a hands‑on role, with responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of payroll. However, the organisation is looking for a senior payroll professional who can provide strategic direction, influence senior stakeholders and build a best‑in‑class payroll function from the ground up.

If you're looking for an opportunity where you can genuinely make your mark and shape the future of payroll within a successful, growing organisation, this role offers exactly that.

The Role

• Take full ownership of the payroll function, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of end-to-end payroll for approximately 200 employees.
• Process payroll for a combination of permanent employees and self-employed workers, including commissions, variable pay and TRONC arrangements.
• Lead the transition from an outsourced payroll model to a fully in-house payroll function.
• Evaluate, select and oversee the implementation of a new payroll system, working closely with the Finance Director.
• Develop and implement robust payroll processes, controls and governance frameworks to support business growth.
• Act as the organisation's payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance on payroll legislation, compliance and best practice.
• Partner closely with Finance, HR and operational teams to ensure payroll integrates seamlessly across the business.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, process optimisation and technology.
• Ensure payroll remains fully compliant with current legislation, HMRC requirements and internal policies.

About You

To be successful in this role, you'll ideally have:

• Significant end-to-end payroll experience, operating at Payroll Manager, Head of Payroll or equivalent level.
• Experience leading or playing a significant role in bringing payroll in-house or implementing a payroll system.
• A strong understanding of payroll legislation, governance, controls and compliance.
• Previous experience within a multi-site environment, ideally across retail, hospitality, leisure, beauty or another customer-facing business.
• Experience processing payroll involving commissions, variable pay and/or TRONC.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence senior leadership.
• A strategic mindset, balanced with a willingness to remain hands‑on where required.
• A track record of improving payroll processes, controls and operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership capability with the potential to develop and shape the payroll function as the business evolves.
• Complimentary services.
• Generous employee discount on products.
• Company pension scheme.
• 22 days' annual leave, increasing to 25 days with length of service, plus bank holidays.
• Flexible working hours, with core office hours between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
• The opportunity to build and lead an in-house payroll function from the ground up.
• A highly visible role with genuine strategic influence across Finance and HR.
• Long-term career progression within a successful and growing organisation.

If you're an ambitious payroll leader looking for a unique opportunity to build, shape and lead an in-house payroll function while influencing payroll strategy across a well‑known multi‑site business, we'd love to hear from you.