Payroll Implementation Specialist

Michael Page (UK); City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A recruiting firm seeks a Payroll Implementation Specialist in London to build an end-to-end payroll function for a fast-growing technology company. The role requires extensive experience in payroll implementations and compliance, strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, and the ability to work with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. Offering a competitive daily rate and an opportunity to work within a collaborative team, this temporary position promises valuable experience in payroll implementation.

Benefits

Competitive daily rate

Opportunity to gain valuable experience

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Experience in fast-growing or tech-centric businesses.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, scaling environment.

Responsibilities

• Build an end-to-end payroll function including governance and controls.
• Design payroll processes covering validations and approvals.
• Lead implementation of the chosen payroll system.
• Oversee data migration and compliance.
• Develop documentation and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Establish compliance practices related to payroll reporting.
• Build payroll control environment including quality checks.

Skills

Extensive experience delivering payroll implementations

Proven ability to build a payroll function

Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation

Hands-on configuration and testing experience with payroll systems

Strong data skills with experience in migration and validation

Excellent communication skills

Job description

About Our Client

The employer is a well-established organisation within the business services industry, known for providing exceptional solutions to its clients. This medium-sized company values precision and efficiency in its operations and offers a professional and structured working environment. The business is a fast‑growing London‑based technology company entering its next stage of scale. With rapid headcount growth and expanding operations, the organisation is investing heavily in building strong internal foundations, including establishing a best‑in‑class payroll function to support its future growth.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Build an end‑to‑end payroll function for the business, including operating model, governance, controls, workflows, and SLAs.
• Design payroll processes covering inputs, validations, approvals, reconciliations, statutory submissions, year‑end tasks, and audit requirements.
• Lead the full implementation of the chosen payroll system, including configuration, integration, testing, and go‑live readiness.
• Oversee data migration, data cleansing, mapping, and validation activities.
• Manage SIT, UAT, and parallel payroll testing cycles to ensure accurate calculation and compliance.
• Develop documentation, Standard Operating Procedures, process maps, and ongoing payroll manuals for internal use.
• Establish statutory compliance practices in relation to PAYE, NI, pensions, and HMRC reporting.
• Build the long‑term payroll control environment including quality checks, segregation of duties, and assurance frameworks.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, and IT teams to ensure integration and alignment across systems and processes.
• Act as the payroll subject‑matter expert during system selection, implementation, and operational transition.
• Support training, knowledge transfer, and handover to permanent teams post‑go‑live.
• Provide post‑implementation hypercare and ongoing optimisation recommendations.

The Successful Applicant

A successful Payroll Implementation Specialist should have:

• Extensive experience delivering payroll implementations or major payroll transformations, ideally within fast‑growing or tech‑centric businesses.
• Proven ability to build a payroll function from scratch, including process design, compliance design, and operational controls.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and best‑practice payroll governance.
• Hands‑on configuration and testing experience with payroll systems and integrations.
• Strong data skills with experience in migration and validation.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple stakeholders across HR, Finance, and IT.
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced, scaling environment with changing priorities.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive daily rate of GBP 400 to GBP 450.
• Opportunity to work in a professional and structured environment.
• Temporary position offering valuable experience in payroll implementation.
• Collaborative team environment within the business services industry.
• Role based in the vibrant city of London.

If you are ready to take on this exciting opportunity as a Payroll Implementation Specialist in London, we encourage you to apply now!