Interim Payroll Consultant

Axon Moore; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm is seeking an experienced Senior Interim Payroll Consultant to oversee payroll for over 5,000 employees in the UK. This role involves managing a team, ensuring compliance with UK payroll legislation, and optimizing operations using ADP systems. Ideal candidates will have significant ADP experience and a strong understanding of UK payroll processes. Immediate start available.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering high-volume UK payrolls (5000+ employees ideal).
• Strong, hands-on experience with ADP.
• Proven team leadership experience in a payroll function.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end UK payroll processing using ADP platforms.
• Ensure compliance with UK legislation and HMRC submissions.
• Manage and develop a team of payroll professionals.

Skills

Expertise in ADP payroll systems

Team leadership

Knowledge of UK payroll legislation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

CIPP qualified or equivalent experience

Tools

ADP platforms

Job description

Senior Interim Payroll Consultant

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Interim Senior Payroll Consultant with expertise in ADP payroll systems to lead the delivery of a complex, high–volume payroll function for 5000+ employees across the UK.

This leadership role involves mentoring a team of payroll professionals and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency using ADP platforms.

This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll expert with a background in large–scale UK payroll and hands–on experience with ADP who can lead operational delivery and continuous improvement.

Duties:
Payroll Operations

• Lead end–to–end UK payroll processing using ADP platforms, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of payroll for over 5,000 employees.
• Own the payroll calendar, ensuring adherence to processing deadlines and statutory requirements.
• Liaise closely with ADP account managers and support teams to troubleshoot issues and optimise service delivery.
• Monitor and manage payroll outputs and integrations between ADP and internal HR/Finance systems.
• Manage and develop a team of payroll professionals, driving high performance, accountability, and professional growth.
• Oversee team workload distribution, performance reviews, and succession planning.
• Foster a high–quality service culture across the payroll function.
• Ensure full compliance with UK legislation, HMRC submissions (RTI, P11Ds, etc.), pension auto–enrolment, and other statutory requirements.
• Manage audits, internal controls, and risk mitigation processes across the payroll operation.
• Oversee the production of regular reports and KPIs for senior leadership and finance.
• Act as payroll SME in ongoing ADP system configuration, upgrades, or new module implementations.
• Identify automation and efficiency opportunities across payroll processes.
• Work cross–functionally with HR, IT, and Finance teams to ensure seamless data flow and system integrity.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders including HR, Finance, Compliance, and external vendors (especially ADP).
• Act as the escalation point for complex queries, discrepancies, or compliance matters.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on payroll policy, legislative changes, and strategic improvements.

Person Specification:

• Extensive experience delivering high–volume UK payrolls (5000+ employees ideal).
• Strong, hands–on experience with ADP
• Proven team leadership experience in a payroll function.
• In–depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory payments, pensions, and HMRC reporting.
• Strong system and process improvement experience, ideally involving ADP system upgrades or implementations.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• CIPP qualified or equivalent experience.

Immediate interview / start. Please send a CV asap