Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager - Local Authority

Location: BS1 6AL, Hybrid working
Start date: 30/04/2025
Contract Duration: 3+ months
Working Hours: Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 17:00, 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: £22.65 per hour plus holiday pay

Job Purpose

Lead a team to ensure efficient, timely and accurate payroll services in line with current legislation and conditions of service. Provide strategic oversight and identify opportunities for service development and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Provide leadership and direct line management to the payroll team.
2. Manage end-to-end payroll operations for council employees, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.
3. Act as subject matter expert on complex payroll issues including maternity, sickness, pension contributions, and multiple employment.
4. Work closely with HR and recruitment teams to onboard new employees and ensure accurate payroll setup.
5. Lead the payroll element of implementing new systems and procedures, and ensure readiness for pension auto-enrolment.
6. Deliver accurate and timely payroll reporting for HR and internal stakeholders.
7. Champion innovation and continuous improvement - exploring automation and modernisation opportunities.
8. Take ownership of payroll-related audits and compliance tasks.
9. Represent payroll within cross-functional HR projects and working groups.

What We're Looking For:

Professional payroll qualification (e.g. CIPP or equivalent).
Experience within a local authority or public sector payroll environment.
Proven experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
Extensive knowledge of payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance and statutory deductions.
Ability to interpret terms and conditions of employment and apply them accurately.
Strong IT skills with excellent working knowledge of payroll systems.
Proven ability to lead on process improvements and service transformation.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.
Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines.