Payroll & Benefits Manager

JGA Recruitment; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

JGA Recruitment is seeking an experienced Payroll & Benefits Manager in Hemel Hempstead. The role leads a large UK payroll function for ~2,000 employees across three payrolls (weekly and four-weekly) with a hybrid work pattern (minimum 3 days in the office).

You will manage an established team, ensure payroll compliance, and oversee the UK & Ireland Concur expenses system while driving payroll projects and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-volume UK payrolls.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll and HMRC legislation.
• Proven payroll team management experience.
• Advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUP, formulas and pivots.
• Experience with payroll-related expense systems (Concur) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll delivery for c.2,000 employees across three payrolls (weekly and four-weekly).
• Lead and develop the payroll team while remaining hands-on when required.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC legislation, P11Ds and salary sacrifice.
• Manage UK & Ireland employee expenses function.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and operations teams.
• Oversee payroll, T&A and expenses providers.
• Support projects including payrolling benefits and system improvements.
• Maintain payroll controls, reporting and audit compliance.

Skills

Payroll management

UK payroll

Team leadership

Excel (pivot tables)

Stakeholder management

Concur/expense systems

Tools

Moorepay

Crown

Concur

Job description

Payroll & Benefits Manager

Salary: £55,000 £60,000
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Hybrid: Minimum 3 days in the office
Reports to: Head of Financial Control
Team: Assistant Payroll Manager + 2 Payroll Administrators

The Role

An opportunity for an experienced Payroll Manager to lead a large UK payroll function covering approximately 2,000 employees across three payrolls one weekly and two four-weekly.

You ll manage an established team, oversee payroll compliance and take responsibility for the UK & Ireland Concur expenses system, while supporting payroll projects and process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate delivery of payroll for c.2,000 employees.
• Lead and develop the payroll team, remaining hands-on when required.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC legislation, P11Ds and salary sacrifice.
• Manage the UK & Ireland employee expenses function.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance and operational teams.
• Manage payroll, T&A and expenses providers.
• Support projects including payrolling benefits and system improvements.
• Maintain strong payroll controls, reporting and audit compliance.

Ideal Candidate

• Experienced Payroll Manager with high-volume payroll experience ideally 1,000+ employees.
• Strong UK payroll and HMRC legislation knowledge.
• Proven payroll team management experience.
• CIPP qualification preferred.
• Strong stakeholder and third-party provider management skills.
• Advanced Excel including VLOOKUPs, formulas and pivot tables.
• Moorepay, Crown or Concur experience advantageous.
• A collaborative, dependable manager looking for a long‑term opportunity.

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd ("We") are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. We are also committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.