Interim Senior Payroll Manager

Stanton House; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment company is seeking an Interim Senior Payroll Manager for a Software Business in London. This 6-month fixed-term contract offers a competitive salary of up to £80,000 pro rata and a hybrid work model, requiring 2 days in the office and the rest from home. The ideal candidate will have extensive payroll leadership experience, strong UK payroll knowledge, and be available immediately. Responsibilities include managing UK and European payroll, ensuring compliance, and leading a Payroll Analyst.

Qualifications

• Significant payroll leadership experience in complex environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll and HMRC processes.
• Proven experience managing third-party payroll providers.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end UK and European payroll processing.
• Partner with HR and Tax on payroll policies.
• Manage external payroll providers.

Skills

Payroll leadership experience

Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll

Analytical capability

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant payroll certification (e.g. CIPP Level 5)

Tools

Payroll systems exposure

Job description

Interim Senior Payroll Manager - Software Business - 6 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Stanton House is currently recruiting for an Interim Senior Payroll Manager for a Software Business in London. This role offers a salary of up to £80,000 (pro rata) per annum. This role is a hybrid position based in London, working 2 days in the office and the rest from home.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end UK and European payroll, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
• Partner with HR and Tax on changes to pay, benefits and policies.
• Manage external payroll providers and act as the payroll subject‑matter expert.
• Resolve payroll queries from employees and business stakeholders.
• Support the month‑end close through payroll reporting, journals and reconciliations.
• Manage year‑end payroll processes, including P11Ds.
• Ensure compliance with payroll, tax and regulatory requirements.
• Support statutory reporting initiatives such as Gender Pay Gap and National Minimum Wage compliance.
• Drive payroll process improvements, internal controls and system enhancements.
• Lead and develop a Payroll Analyst.
• Adhere to the finance information security requirements.

Qualifications

• Relevant payroll certification preferred (e.g. CIPP Level 5), open to qualified by experience.
• Significant payroll leadership experience in complex or multi‑jurisdiction environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll, HMRC processes and pensions.
• Proven experience managing third‑party payroll providers.
• Confident stakeholder manager across HR, Finance, advisors and authorities.
• Demonstrated delivery of payroll controls and process improvements.
• Reliable, deadline‑driven and highly professional.
• Strong analytical capability.
• Experience managing non‑UK payrolls preferred.
• Exposure to payroll systems is advantageous.

We are looking for someone available immediately or on short notice, 1-2 weeks.

If you feel you meet the above criteria, please do apply. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, we may be unable to respond to all unsuccessful applicants.