Payroll Lead - Strategic & Compliance (Hybrid)

Cornerstone; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone in Scotland seeks a Payroll Lead to oversee end-to-end payroll and pension services for around 1,800 colleagues. You will provide strategic direction, ensure on-time payments, maintain controls and compliance, and support better decision-making with payroll data.

Based at one of our Scotland offices with hybrid working and occasional travel. You’ll lead Payroll Partners, Specialists and Officers, shaping payroll practice across our charity.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of managing or leading an end-to-end payroll and pension service within a large or complex organisation.
• Current and detailed knowledge of PAYE, RTI, National Insurance, statutory payments, pension administration and automatic enrolment.
• Degree-level qualification, CIPP/IPPM qualification or equivalent extensive experience in a senior payroll leadership role.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including experience of coaching, developing and motivating payroll colleagues.
• Experience of payroll reconciliations, journals, financial controls, month-end and year-end reporting.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel and payroll data-analysis skills.
• Ability to interpret legislation and translate complex requirements into effective processes, controls and practical guidance.
• Strong risk management, problem-solving and root‑cause analysis skills.
• Experience of improving payroll systems, processes, data quality and service performance.
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with integrity and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of monthly payroll and pension services.
• Lead, support and develop the Payroll Team, creating a positive, accountable and customer-focused environment.
• Review and approve payroll before final submission, ensuring appropriate checks, reconciliations and authorisations are completed.
• Maintain effective payroll controls, segregation of duties and clear audit trails.
• Oversee statutory submissions, pension administration, payroll reconciliations, journals, month-end reporting and year-end activities.
• Ensure compliance with payroll, tax, employment, pension and data protection requirements.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and ensure changes are effectively implemented.
• Produce clear payroll analysis and management information for Finance, People and senior leaders.
• Use data to identify trends, exceptions and emerging risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead the development and improvement of payroll systems, processes, controls and data quality.
• Provide professional advice and constructive challenge on complex payroll matters.
• Build effective relationships with HMRC, pension providers, auditors, advisers and payroll system providers.
• Represent payroll in relevant organisational meetings, projects and working groups.

Job description

Cornerstone in Scotland seeks a Payroll Lead to oversee end-to-end payroll and pension services for around 1,800 colleagues. You will provide strategic direction, ensure on-time payments, maintain controls and compliance, and support better decision-making with payroll data.

Based at one of our Scotland offices with hybrid working and occasional travel. You’ll lead Payroll Partners, Specialists and Officers, shaping payroll practice across our charity.