Head of Payroll

Kennedy Pearce Consulting; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Generous employee discount on products

Complimentary services

Job summary

Kennedy Pearce Consulting is partnering with a well‑established, multi-site consumer business to appoint its first Head of Payroll. The role leads an in‑house payroll function for ~200 staff, transitioning from outsourcing and implementing a new payroll system under the Finance Director, with a dotted line to HR.

It combines hands-on delivery with strategic direction. The ideal candidate has senior level payroll experience, governance expertise, and strong stakeholder influence, enabling

Qualifications

• Significant end-to-end payroll experience at senior level (Head of Payroll or equivalent).
• Experience leading or delivering in-house payroll transition/implementation.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, governance, controls and compliance.
• Experience in a multi-site environment (retail, hospitality, leisure or customer-facing).
• Experience processing payroll with commissions, variable pay and/or TRONC.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the payroll for approximately 200 employees.
• Lead the transition from outsourced to in-house payroll delivery.
• Select and oversee a new payroll system implementation with Finance Director.
• Develop robust payroll processes, controls and governance for growth.
• Provide payroll subject‑matter expertise to guide the organisation.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Stakeholder management

Strategic leadership

In‑house payroll implementation

Payroll governance

Job description

Salary: £60,000-£80,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Working Pattern: Hybrid (3 days in the office) until January 2027, moving to 100% office-based thereafter.

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.

£130000 - £140000 per annum + Hybrid working, benefits and bonus