Payroll implementation manager

Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd in Manchester is seeking a Payroll Implementation Manager to lead end-to-end onboarding projects for new clients. You will own complex payroll deliveries and work closely with senior stakeholders to shape successful transitions.

The role requires 5+ years of UK payroll experience, strong delivery discipline, and hands-on knowledge of i-Trent. Candidates with a CIPP qualification will stand out, and you’ll drive quality payroll delivery in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on UK payroll experience and strong end-to-end operational knowledge.
• Proven experience leading payroll implementations in complex or high-volume environments.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll compliance (AE, RTI, Apprenticeship Levy).
• Confident project leadership with the ability to manage multiple work streams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex payroll concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll implementations across onboarding projects.
• Manage timelines, quality and budgets across multiple onboarding projects.
• Partner with clients to understand requirements and provide guidance during transition.
• Ensure seamless move into first live payroll and ongoing BAU handover.
• Contribute to payroll-related financial reporting and GL outputs.
• Develop junior team members and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture.

Skills

Payroll experience

Project leadership

UK payroll compliance

Communication skills

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

i-Trent

Job description

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full time

Disability Confident:

No

Closing Date:

10/10/2026

About this job

The company Are you a confident payroll professional who thrives in fast-paced, client-focused environments?

We're partnering with a leading organisation undergoing significant growth in their payroll operations, and we're looking for an experienced Payroll Implementation Manager to lead end-to-end onboarding projects for new clients.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of complex implementations, work closely with senior stakeholders, and play a visible role in shaping high-quality payroll delivery.

What you'll be doing

Leading end-to-end implementations

• managing timelines, quality and budgets across multiple onboarding projects.

Partnering with clients

• understanding requirements, shaping plans and providing clear guidance throughout the transition.
• ensuring a seamless move into the first live payroll.
• keeping delivery on track through proactive issue resolution.

Supporting BAU handover

• ensuring service teams receive a clean, well-documented transition.

Contributing to financial reporting

• advising on payroll-related GL outputs where required.

Developing junior team members

• helping build a collaborative, high-performing culture.

What you'll bring

5+ years of hands-on UK payroll experience, with strong end-to-end operational knowledge.

Proven experience leading payroll implementations in complex or high-volume environments.

Strong understanding of UK payroll compliance

• AE, RTI, Apprenticeship Levy.

Confident project leadership with the ability to manage multiple work streams.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex payroll concepts clearly.

Experience using i-Trent.

CIPP qualification (advantageous).