Payroll Assistant Manager

Broadgate; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Broadgate is seeking a Payroll Assistant Manager based in or around Aberdeen. This role combines hands-on payroll delivery with people-management across a varied client portfolio.

The successful candidate will report to the Payroll Manager, lead a small team, manage workflow and budgets, and maintain up-to-date payroll knowledge in a professional services setting.

Qualifications

• Higher Grade/A Level (or equivalent) and a relevant professional qualification
• Strong organisational skills with excellent written and verbal communication
• Confident user of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and other relevant software
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving ability
• Working knowledge of relevant payroll legislation and industry best practice

Responsibilities

• Report to Payroll Manager and deliver client assignments from planning through to completion
• Manage team workflow, control time and cost budgets, build professional relationships
• Delegate work across the team, set expectations, provide support and accountability
• Oversee payroll processing accuracy and timely delivery of client work
• Maintain up-to-date payroll knowledge and monitor legislative changes
• Lead specialist technical projects and contribute to process improvements
• Maintain high-quality client process documentation and use payroll software effectively

Job description

Payroll Assistant Manager

Accountancy & Business Advisory Services

Aberdeen - Flexible on location | Permanent, Full-Time

Broadgate Search is delighted to be retained on a confidential basis by a well-established and growing accountancy and business advisory firm, to appoint an experienced Payroll Assistant Manager based in or around Aberdeen. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong payroll professional who is ready to combine hands‑on client delivery with genuine people‑management responsibility, working across a varied and interesting client portfolio.

Aberdeen is the preferred base for this role, but our client is genuinely open-minded on location for the right candidate and would encourage strong applicants elsewhere to get in touch.

Our client places real value on strong client relationships and a supportive, high‑performing team culture, and this role offers a clear route for someone looking to build their career within a well‑regarded professional services environment.

The Role

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, you will use your technical payroll knowledge to deliver client assignments from planning through to completion, while demonstrating strong people‑management skills including delegation, motivation and support. You will manage team workflow, control time and cost budgets, and build strong professional relationships that support the firm's wider growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply strong technical and operational knowledge to manage increasingly complex client requirements and tasks
• Research and resolve complex technical problems, confidently handling difficult client engagements
• Delegate work across the team, set clear expectations, provide support, and hold colleagues accountable for delivery
• Take ownership of the team's output — reviewing work, providing feedback, and maximising productivity and utilisation
• Manage the financial and operational aspects of client work, including scope and productive time
• Work in an agile way to supervise several assignments concurrently, ensuring timely and accurate delivery
• Consistently deliver technical work to a high standard, meeting agreed deadlines and budgets
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, stakeholders and professional advisors
• Identify opportunities where the firm can further support clients and colleagues
• Act as a trusted advisor to colleagues, clients and business contacts, handling queries effectively
• Identify and champion improvements to client service and internal processes
• Contribute to marketing activity and represent the business at networking and client events

Payroll & Technical Responsibilities

• Process client payrolls accurately, seeking guidance from senior colleagues where required
• Maintain up‑to‑date technical knowledge and monitor upcoming changes in payroll legislation, recommending and implementing process improvements
• Identify training needs and deliver technical and procedural updates to the wider team
• Support and lead specialist technical projects as required
• Maintain accurate, high‑quality client process documentation
• Maintain strong working knowledge of relevant payroll software, resolving provider issues and adapting processes as needed
• Manage day‑to‑day team operations to ensure payroll deadlines are consistently met and client queries are resolved
• Support colleagues in managing and resolving significant client challenges, escalating appropriately

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Higher Grade/A Level (or equivalent) and a relevant professional qualification
• Strong organisational skills with excellent written and verbal communication
• Confident user of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and other relevant software
• Excellent attention to detail and problem‑solving ability
• Working knowledge of relevant payroll legislation and industry best practice

Desirable

• University degree (2:1 classification or above)
• Previous experience in a similar payroll role
• Experience managing a client portfolio and working to tight deadlines
• Experience supervising or managing staff
• Experience with technical compliance and advisory work

You’ll Also Bring

• A collaborative style, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels
• The ability to work on your own initiative and manage competing deadlines
• Self‑motivation, with a track record of turning ideas into practice