Interim Payroll Manager

Eaton Syalon; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton Syalon is seeking an Interim Payroll Manager for our Newark-based client, a hybrid role leading a busy, multi-entity payroll function. You will oversee a team of 4, ensure accurate, on-time payments and drive improvements in payroll processes within a complex environment.

Key focus includes HMRC compliance, pension enrolment, and collaboration with HR, Finance, IT and operations to deliver a reliable, customer-focused payroll service.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience leading a payroll team.
• Experience across multiple entities in a large organisation.
• Proven ability to manage hourly-paid staff and variable hours.
• Strong Excel skills for payroll reporting.
• Experience with Sage Payroll is advantageous.
• Knowledge of UK payroll legislation and pension rules.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a payroll team of 4, delivering high standards of accuracy and service.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll across multiple entities, ensuring timely payments.
• Manage payroll activities for hourly staff, overtime, deductions and changes.
• Oversee pension submissions and automatic enrolment requirements.
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Act as escalation point for complex payroll queries with clear resolutions.
• Prepare, review and analyse payroll reports with appropriate controls.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT and operations to resolve payroll matters.
• Manage relationships with external payroll software providers and keep systems updated.
• Review processes to improve efficiency, accuracy and service delivery.
• Monitor changes in payroll legislation and best practices; implement where relevant.
• Provide coaching and training to the payroll team for continuous improvement.

Skills

Payroll management

Team leadership

UK payroll knowledge

Excel skills

Time & attendance systems

Tools

Sage Payroll

Time & attendance systems

Job description

Interim Payroll Manager

Newark Based

Hybrid role

£275 - £325 per day

Eaton Syalon are supporting our Newark based client who are looking for an interim Payroll Manager to lead a busy, multi-entity payroll function within a complex environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished interim payroll professional to take ownership of payroll operations, lead an established team of 4 and drive continuous improvements across the payroll function.

Overseeing payroll across six trading entities, you will ensure that employees are paid accurately and on time, while maintaining compliance with UK payroll legislation, pension regulations and internal financial controls. You will act as the key point of escalation for complex payroll matters, providing technical expertise, sound judgement and effective leadership. Working closely with HR, Finance, IT and operational teams, you will play an important role in delivering an efficient, reliable and customer-focused payroll service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and develop a payroll team of 4, promoting high standards of accuracy, performance and service delivery.
• Oversee the end-to-end payroll process across multiple entities, ensuring all employees are paid accurately and within strict deadlines.
• Manage payroll activities covering hourly-paid employees, variable hours, overtime, enhancements, sleep-in and waking-night payments, sickness absence, family leave, deductions, starters, leavers and contractual changes.
• Oversee pension submissions and automatic enrolment requirements.
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, pension regulations and relevant employment legislation.
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll queries, investigating issues and providing clear, appropriate resolutions.
• Prepare, review and analyse payroll reports, ensuring accuracy and appropriate financial controls.
• Build strong working relationships with HR, Finance, IT and operational colleagues to ensure effective collaboration and resolution of payroll matters.
• Manage relationships with external payroll software providers, ensuring systems remain updated and aligned with legislative changes.
• Review payroll processes, controls and systems, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and service delivery.
• Monitor changes in payroll legislation and best practice, ensuring these are implemented effectively.
• Provide coaching, training and support to the payroll team, encouraging professional development and continuous improvement.

You will also bring:

• Proven experience managing and leading a payroll team.
• Strong technical payroll knowledge and the ability to investigate and resolve complex payroll issues.
• Experience managing payroll for large employee populations across multiple entities.
• Demonstrable experience with hourly-paid employees and associated time and attendance systems.
• A track record of identifying and implementing payroll process improvements.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, with a commitment to delivering an excellent payroll service.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills, particularly when dealing with sensitive or complex payroll matters.

Experience Required:

• A minimum of 3 years' experience managing a payroll team, ideally within a large organisation, across multiple entities.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex payrolls involving hourly-paid employees and variable working patterns.
• Experience using time and attendance systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, particularly for payroll reporting and analysis.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook and Word.
• Experience using Sage Payroll would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why join our client:

This is an opportunity to take on a key leadership position where you can make a real difference to the effectiveness of payroll operations. You will have the opportunity to shape processes, develop the team, influence improvements and work collaboratively with colleagues across a large and diverse organisation.

The role will be initially for 3 months and will be reviewed with timescales clearly communicated. If you wish to be considered for the role on an interim to permanent basis, this is also an option.