Interim Payroll Manager

VANRATH; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working in Belfast

Professional development & training

Supportive team environment

Job summary

VANRATH is recruiting an experienced Payroll Manager in Belfast to lead high-volume payroll operations in a dynamic, client-focused environment. The role leverages system implementation expertise to streamline processes and deliver accurate payroll for thousands of employees.

The ideal candidate will have strong controls, compliance, and audit knowledge, with a proven ability to lead payroll teams and drive continuous improvement in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-volume payroll operations.
• Proven track record in system implementation or upgrades.
• Strong knowledge of payroll controls, compliance and audits.
• Ability to develop and lead payroll teams for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of payroll services for 25,000+ employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Manage payroll system configuration, testing and rollout activities.
• Drive process improvements, automation and system enhancements.
• Coordinate with IT, HR and finance on upgrades and data migrations.
• Establish controls for data quality, integrity and audit readiness.

Skills

Payroll management

System implementation

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Audit & compliance

Team leadership

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

If you're an experienced Payroll Manager with a track record of implementing systems and streamlining processes, this organisation offers a fantastic opportunity to lead high-volume payroll operations in a dynamic, client-focused environment. This role allows you to utilise your system implementation expertise to make a lasting impact within a trusted organisation committed to innovation and excellence in payroll solutions.

Salary/Benefits:

• £50,000 - £60,000
• 12 to 18-month contract
• Hybrid working model with a base in central Belfast
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Supportive team environment

About your next employer:

This organisation is one of the most trusted providers of payroll and HR services in the UK and Ireland. With decades of experience delivering seamless workforce solutions, they are known for their commitment to trust, reliability, and industry innovation. Supporting major public sector clients, they operate complex, high-volume payrolls and lead transformative system projects, including system implementations and upgrades. As a forward-thinking company, they invest heavily in their people and aim to shape the future of HR and payroll services.

About you:

• Proven experience managing high-volume payroll operations in complex environments
• Strong background in system implementation, configuration, or upgrade projects within payroll systems
• Excellent knowledge of payroll processing, controls, compliance, and audit standards
• Ability to lead and develop payroll teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills
• Confident in managing complex payroll issues, system testing, and troubleshooting

What you'll do:

• Lead the delivery of payroll services, ensuring accuracy and compliance for over 25,000 employees
• Manage and support payroll system configuration, testing, and implementation activities
• Oversee payroll process improvements, automation, and system enhancements to increase efficiency
• Coordinate with IT, HR, and finance teams on system upgrades, data migrations, and testing phases
• Develop and embed controls for payroll system integrity, data quality, and audit readiness
• Support transformation projects, including system rollouts, post-implementation support, and continuous improvement initiatives