Payroll Director — Multi‑Site, Compliance & Insights

Hartford Care Ltd; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartford Care Group is seeking a Head of Payroll to own accurate, controlled and timely payroll across all employees and homes. You’ll lead a payroll function of four, report to the CFO, and provide workforce reporting that supports Finance, HR and operations.

You’ll drive end-to-end payroll delivery, ensure compliance with HMRC, PAYE, NI and pensions, maintain data integrity across HR, rostering and time-recording systems, and develop controls and reconciliations.

Qualifications

• CIPP payroll qualification (or equivalent) is required.
• Significant payroll leadership experience in a complex, multi-site organisation with high volumes and tight deadlines.
• Proven end-to-end payroll delivery including reconciliations, sign-off and gross-to-net accuracy.
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, NI, pensions, statutory payments and payroll audit readiness.

Responsibilities

• Own Group payroll across all entities with timetables, cut-offs, approvals and final payment controls.
• Establish payroll controls, reconciliations and exception reporting; investigate variances before payment.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and year-end reporting.
• Maintain payroll data integrity across HR, rostering and time-recording systems.
• Lead the Payroll Manager and team with clear standards, deadlines and coverage.
• Produce workforce reporting on FTE, vacancies, overtime, absence, pay trends and payroll-to-revenue ratios.
• Support workforce planning, budgeting and forecasting with pay cost analysis.
• Maintain controls over payroll bank files, payment approvals and access rights.
• Improve payroll processes and systems, reducing manual intervention and increasing resilience.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters.

Skills

Payroll leadership

End-to-end payroll

HR data integration

Analytical thinking

Education

CIPP payroll qualification

Job description

Hartford Care Group is seeking a Head of Payroll to own accurate, controlled and timely payroll across all employees and homes. You’ll lead a payroll function of four, report to the CFO, and provide workforce reporting that supports Finance, HR and operations.

You’ll drive end-to-end payroll delivery, ensure compliance with HMRC, PAYE, NI and pensions, maintain data integrity across HR, rostering and time-recording systems, and develop controls and reconciliations.