Payroll Implementation Lead

Reed; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Cash Plan

REED Discount Club

Eye care vouchers

Job summary

Reed is seeking a Payroll Implementation Lead to drive the implementation of a new HR & Payroll system, People First, in the UK. You will manage the payroll workstream from configuration to testing, go-live and post-implementation support, reporting to the Group Director of HR.

The role is based at Openshaw Campus, Manchester (Hybrid - 2 days on site) on a 12-month fixed-term contract, 37 hours per week, with a salary of £55,000–£58,000 per annum.

Qualifications

• CIPP Payroll qualification or equivalent is required.
• Significant end-to-end UK payroll experience in a complex environment.
• Proven experience leading payroll system implementations and transformations.
• Hands-on payroll configuration, data migration, testing and go-live support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the payroll implementation workstream from configuration through to go-live and post-implementation support.
• Configure and validate payroll elements including tax, NI, pensions and auto-enrolment.
• Drive best-practice payroll processes and transition to a real-time payroll model.
• Lead data mapping, cleansing, migration, validation and reconciliation.
• Coordinate payroll testing, UAT, and parallel runs.
• Manage cutover activities and support hypercare and issue resolution.
• Produce implementation documentation, audit evidence and guidance.

Skills

CIPP qualification

End-to-end payroll

Implementation leadership

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

UK payroll experience

iTrent knowledge

Tools

Excel

iTrent

Job description

We are embarking on an exciting system transformation journey and are seeking an experienced Payroll Implementation Lead to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of our new HR & Payroll system, People First.

Reporting directly to the Group Director of Human Resources, you will act as the payroll subject matter expert within the project team, leading the payroll implementation workstream from configuration and migration through to testing, go-live and post-implementation support.

Location: Openshaw Campus, Manchester (Hybrid - 2 days on site)

Contract: Fixed-Term Contract (12 Months)

Hours: Full Time, 37 Hours per Week

Pay: £55,000 - £58,000 per annum

As Payroll Implementation Lead, you will drive the successful set-up, mobilisation and stabilisation of a new real-time payroll system. Working closely with stakeholders, suppliers and project teams, you will ensure payroll legislation, organisational policies and operational requirements are translated into effective system configuration, controls and processes.

This role is focused solely on implementation and transformation activities. Responsibility for day-to-day payroll and pensions operations will remain with the Payroll & Pensions Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the payroll implementation workstream, managing plans, milestones, risks, dependencies and decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Configure and validate payroll elements including tax, National Insurance, statutory payments, deductions, pension schemes and auto-enrolment rules.
• Drive the adoption of best-practice payroll processes and support the transition to a real-time payroll operating model.
• Lead payroll data mapping, cleansing, migration, validation and reconciliation activities.
• Coordinate payroll testing activities, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT), end-to-end testing and parallel payroll runs.
• Manage payroll cutover activities and support go-live and hypercare phases.Identify and resolve payroll system defects, data issues and process challenges.
• Produce implementation documentation, audit evidence, user guidance and management reporting.
• Work collaboratively with suppliers, project teams and senior stakeholders to deliver key project outcomes.

About You

We are looking for a payroll professional who combines strong technical payroll knowledge with proven implementation and transformation experience.

You will have:

• CIPP Payroll qualification (or equivalent payroll knowledge and experience).
• Significant end-to-end UK payroll experience within a complex, high-volume environment.
• Proven experience leading payroll system implementations, migrations or transformation projects.
• Hands-on experience with payroll configuration, data migration, testing, reconciliation, cutover and go-live activities.
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, NIC, RTI, statutory payments, payroll deductions, pensions and auto-enrolment.
• Experience running parallel payrolls and reconciling outputs against legacy systems such as iTrent.
• Advanced Excel skills, including data analysis, validation and reconciliation of large datasets.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight project deadlines.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a major organisation-wide transformation programme.
• Play a leading role in shaping the future payroll operating model.
• Hybrid working with flexibility built into the role.
• Access to exclusive opportunities and career development support.
• Health Cash Plan and REED Discount Club.
• Statutory Sick Pay, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay.
• Professional development opportunities through REED Learning.
• Eye test and spectacle vouchers.