Interim Payroll Manager

Focus Group; Shoreham-by-Sea; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive day rate

Job summary

Focus Group is seeking an experienced Interim Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll across our multi-entity UK group on a fixed-term/contract basis. The role is hybrid with Shoreham-by-Sea office and starts immediately, with a competitive day rate.

You'll manage a small payroll team, ensure RTI/FPS compliance, liaise with HMRC and pension providers, and resolve payroll issues as they arise. Prior CIPHR/Sage experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience managing payroll for multi-entity groups.
• Solid knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory payments.
• Ability to lead a small payroll team and work autonomously.
• Experience with CIPHR and/or Sage payroll software.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end monthly payroll across the group.
• Own payroll compliance, RTI/FPS, and liaise with HMRC.
• Run payroll reconciliations and resolve discrepancies.
• Oversee auto-enrolment and deductions for benefits.
• Provide day-to-day management and support to the payroll team.
• Escalation point for payroll queries from staff and managers.

Skills

Payroll processing

UK payroll legislation

CIPHR/Sage experience

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

CIPHR

Sage

Job description

Interim Payroll Manager

Immediate start

Hybrid - Shoreham

About Focus Group

Focus Group is a £300m-revenue, 1,400-person technology services company backed by Hg Capital. Following our $1bn valuation in 2024, we're scaling rapidly and investing in AI to transform how we operate and how we serve our 30,000 SME customers.

The role

We're looking for an experienced Interim Payroll Manager to join us on a fixed-term/contract basis while we recruit for a permanent hire. You'll be able to start immediately and hit the ground running, taking ownership of the end-to-end payroll function across our group of companies.

This is a hands-on role covering multi-entity payroll (predominantly CIPHR, with some Sage), managing a small payroll team, and acting as the go-to expert for payroll compliance and stakeholder queries during the interim period.

What you'll be doing

• Managing end-to-end monthly payroll processing across the group, including starters, leavers, variable pay, absence pay and statutory payments
• Owning payroll compliance, statutory reporting (RTI/FPS) and liaison with HMRC and pension providers
• Managing payroll reconciliations and resolving discrepancies
• Overseeing pension auto-enrolment and deductions for employee benefits
• Providing day-to-day management and support to the payroll team
• Acting as escalation point for payroll queries from staff and managers

What you'll bring

• Proven experience managing payroll for a similar-sized, multi-entity group
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK payroll legislation (SSP, NMW, statutory payments, NI thresholds)
• Experience with CIPHR and/or Sage payroll software
• Confidence to pick up an existing payroll function quickly and work independently from day one
• CIPP or equivalent qualification (desirable)
• PE-backed or group/holding company experience (desirable)

Why this role

A great opportunity for an interim payroll professional to step into a fast-paced, growing business, with the autonomy to make an immediate impact. Hybrid working from our Shoreham office, on a fixed-term contract with a competitive day rate.

Let's connect. Let's grow.

Available immediately?