Head of Payroll

KennedyPearce Consulting Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KennedyPearce Consulting Ltd is partnering with a well-established, multi-site consumer business to hire a Head of Payroll in the United Kingdom. The role is hybrid with three days in the Central London office until January 2027, then 100% office-based.

You will own payroll strategy and operations, lead the transition from outsourced payroll to in-house, ensure compliance, and build governance and controls to support growth for around 200 employees and contractors.

Qualifications

• Extensive end-to-end payroll experience at Head of Payroll level.
• Experience moving payroll in-house and selecting/implementing a payroll system.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, governance and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Own payroll strategy and operations.
• Lead transition from outsourced provider to in-house.
• Establish processes, controls and governance.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll for ~200 employees.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Payroll compliance

Stakeholder management

In-house payroll transition

Multi-site experience

Payroll governance

Strategic thinking

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

We are partnering with a well-established, multi-site consumer business to appoint their first Head of Payroll. This is a hybrid role based in Central London, with in-office attendance expected for three days per week until January 2027, moving to 100% office-based thereafter. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, you will own payroll strategy and operations, leading the transition from an outsourced payroll provider to a fully in-house function and establishing the processes, controls, and governance needed to support future growth.

Initially, the role will be hands-on, with responsibility for the accurate and timely delivery of end-to-end payroll for approximately 200 employees. You will process payroll for permanent employees and self-employed workers, including commissions, variable pay, and TRONC arrangements. You will evaluate, select, and oversee the implementation of a new payroll system, while acting as the organisation’s payroll subject matter expert for payroll legislation, compliance, and best practice, ensuring payroll remains compliant with applicable requirements and internal policies.

To succeed, you should have significant end-to‑end payroll experience at Payroll Manager/Head of Payroll level or equivalent, including experience bringing payroll in‑house and/or implementing a payroll system. You should have strong knowledge of payroll legislation, governance, controls, and compliance, along with experience in multi‑site environments (ideally within customer‑facing sectors). You will bring confident stakeholder management skills to influence senior leadership, a strategic mindset balanced with the ability to stay hands‑on, and a track record of improving payroll processes, controls, and operational efficiency, with the leadership capability to develop and shape the payroll function over time.