Payroll Manager

EA First Compass House; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Season ticket loan

Employer pension contribution

25 days annual leave

8 bank holidays

Job summary

EA First is partnering with an established national charity in Birmingham to recruit a Payroll Manager. This role leads a vital payroll service to ensure colleagues are paid accurately and on time, while strengthening controls and ways of working. The position offers hybrid working and a salary of £42,000–£43,000 per year.

The Payroll Manager will oversee end-to-end payroll, maintain HMRC compliance, and develop a payroll team across a charity network that values inclusion and flexible working.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing end-to-end payroll in medium or large organisations.
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and HMRC reporting.
• Experience leading and motivating a payroll team.
• Extensive experience with payroll systems, implementations or improvements.
• Excellent reconciliation and analytical skills with complex discrepancies.
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to work with payroll data and management reports.
• Clear communication and stakeholder management at all levels.
• High level of accuracy, integrity and discretion with sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll process, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain compliance with UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, pension rules and statutory reporting.
• Lead, develop and motivate the payroll team.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, pension administration, statutory submissions and third-party payments.
• Manage and improve payroll systems, controls, policies, procedures and documentation.
• Collaborate with Finance, People and Organisational Development, external payroll providers and stakeholders.
• Produce payroll reports, management information and analysis to support decisions.
• Provide clear advice on complex payroll matters and resolve issues with sound judgement.
• Identify and deliver improvements to payroll processes, systems and service quality.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

People leadership

Payroll systems

Excel & data analysis

Stakeholder management

Accuracy & discretion

Education

CIPP payroll qualification (advantageous)

Charity/public sector payroll experience (advantageous)

Job description

EA First is partnering with an established national charity in Birmingham to recruit a Payroll Manager. This is an opportunity to lead a vital service that ensures colleagues are paid accurately and on time, while strengthening payroll controls, systems and ways of working. The role is paying £42,000 - £43,000 per annum, plus hybrid working.

Our client is a large, purpose led charity that supports people across the UK. Its services help individuals build greater independence and move towards more positive futures. The organisation values inclusion, professional development and flexible ways of working, and offers the scale and complexity that make this an interesting payroll leadership opportunity.

The Payroll Manager will be responsible for delivering an accurate, compliant and customer focused payroll service. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage the end to end payroll process, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain compliance with UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, pension regulations and statutory reporting obligations.
• Lead, support and develop the payroll team, setting clear expectations and promoting a responsive service.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, pension administration, statutory submissions and third-party payments.
• Manage and improve payroll systems, controls, policies, procedures and supporting documentation.
• Work closely with Finance, People and Organisational Development, external payroll providers and other stakeholders.
• Produce payroll reports, management information and analysis to support operational and financial decisions.
• Provide clear advice on complex payroll matters and resolve issues with accuracy and sound judgement.
• Identify and deliver improvements to payroll processes, systems and service quality.

We are looking for an experienced payroll professional who can combine technical knowledge with effective team leadership. You will bring:

• Significant experience managing end to end payroll within a medium sized or large organisation.
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, pensions and HMRC reporting.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating a payroll team.
• A strong working knowledge of payroll systems, including involvement in implementations, upgrades or process improvements.
• Excellent reconciliation and analytical skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve complex discrepancies.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confidence working with payroll data and management reports.
• Clear communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to advise colleagues at all levels.
• A high level of accuracy, integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information.

A payroll qualification such as CIPP, experience in the charity, housing, education or public sector, and knowledge of HR and payroll system integration would be advantageous but are not essential.

Payroll Manager:

• Salary of £42,000 - £43,000 per annum.
• Hybrid and flexible working, where the needs of the role allow.
• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays.
• Employer pension contribution, subject to scheme eligibility.
• Health cash plan, cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
• Enhanced family, dependent and bereavement leave provisions, subject to the relevant policy and eligibility criteria.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Access to Blue Light Card discounts.

EA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy.