Payroll Lead

Sure Exec Search; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a part-time Payroll Lead to manage payroll delivery for approximately 300 employees. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in UK payroll legislation, manages the payroll independently, and is comfortable using Sage Payroll. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance, payroll processing, and generating necessary documentation. This hybrid role requires around 2 days a week on-site in Harrow, London.

Qualifications

• Expertise in managing payroll for c.300 employees with compliance to UK legislation.
• Ability to independently handle payroll delivery and resolve discrepancies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll process for c.300 employees.
• Generate payroll documentation including payslips and reports.
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Manage tax codes, pension contributions, and deductions.

Skills

Proven experience in a hands-on payroll role

Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation

Experience running weekly payrolls

Solid experience using Sage Payroll

Confident working independently

Tools

Sage Payroll

Job description

Payroll Lead (Part-Time, Contract)

Location: Harrow, London (Hybrid – on-site once every couple of weeks)

Start Date: ASAP

Our client are looking to hire an experienced Payroll Lead on a part‑time contract basis. This role has been created following the recent transition of payroll from an external provider to an in‑house function.

You will take full ownership of payroll delivery for a workforce of approximately 300 weekly‑paid employees, ensuring payroll is accurate, compliant, and delivered on time. This is a hands‑on role, ideal for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys stabilising processes, improving controls, and acting as the go‑to payroll expert within the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end‑to‑end weekly payroll process for c.300 employees.
• Process payroll using Sage, ensuring accuracy across pay, deductions, overtime, and statutory payments.
• Generate payslips, payroll reports, BACS files, and payment summary documentation for approval and release.
• Ensure payroll is fully compliant with UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, auto‑enrolment pensions, and London Living Wage standards.
• Manage tax codes, pension contributions, statutory deductions, holiday pay, and overtime calculations.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll‑related queries from internal stakeholders.
• Review current payroll processes following the in‑house transition and recommend improvements to controls, documentation, and timelines.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in a hands‑on payroll role, ideally as a Payroll Lead or Senior Payroll Specialist.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including tax, pensions, statutory payments, holiday pay, and overtime.
• Experience running weekly payrolls in fast‑paced or operational environments.
• Solid experience using Sage Payroll.
• Confident working independently and taking full ownership of payroll delivery.
• Able to work 2 days per week on a flexible basis, with occasional on‑site presence in Harrow.

If you are passionate about this opportunity and meet the qualifications and skills outlined, we encourage you to promptly submit your CV for consideration. Please note that the duties mentioned above are not exhaustive, and the role's responsibilities may evolve in response to changing circumstances and requirements.

Sure Commercial Limited (trading as Sure Exec Search) is a proud Equal Opportunities employer and does not discriminate against any candidate on the grounds of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy is available on request.