Payroll Manager

Neway International Ltd; Chichester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent staffing company is seeking a Payroll Manager for an interim position in Chichester. This role involves overseeing payroll and HR administration for the West Sussex County Council, leading a team of about 30 staff. Responsibilities include ensuring compliant payroll processing, supporting staff with complex HR issues, and driving service improvements. Candidates should have strong leadership skills, experience in payroll management, and an in-depth understanding of HR regulations. Pay rates range from £29.37 per hour to £300 per day.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in payroll management and HR administration.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop large teams.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll processes, pensions, and HR regulations.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to deliver improvements in service efficiency and customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage payroll and HR administration teams for accurate services.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and internal policies.
• Oversee payroll transactions and HR administration for stakeholders.
• Support staff with complex pay, pensions, and HR enquiries.
• Drive improvements in service delivery through system design.
• Set targets, plan workloads, and develop the service function.

Skills

Payroll management

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Service efficiency

Job description

Neway International are seeking a Payroll Manager – Chichester (Interim) to join our client West Sussex County Council.

Location: County Hall, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RG
Hours: 37 per week
Start Date: 05 January 2026

Pay Rates:
PAYE: £29.37 per hour
Limited/Umbrella: £40.35 per hour
Equivalent: £300 per day
Work Pattern: Minimum of one day per week in office; required onsite for some meetings and training

About the Client

West Sussex County Council is committed to delivering efficient, compliant, and customer-focused services across HR and payroll. Their vision is to provide high‑quality support to employees, schools, and external partners, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and continuous improvement in service delivery.

The Role

As Payroll Manager, you will oversee the day‑to‑day provision of payroll and HR administration services for WSCC employees, schools, and external partners. Leading a team of approximately 30 staff, you will ensure efficient and accurate payroll transactions while supporting the team to address complex pay, pensions, and HR queries.

You will play a key role in developing and implementing effective systems, monitoring performance, and driving continuous improvement to enhance customer experience. This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring strong operational management, professional expertise, and the ability to make informed decisions within regulatory frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage payroll and HR administration teams to deliver accurate and efficient services.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies.
• Oversee the processing of payroll transactions and HR administration for employees, schools, and external partners.
• Support and develop staff to handle complex pay, pensions, and HR enquiries.
• Drive improvements in service delivery through system design, implementation, and performance monitoring.
• Set targets, plan workloads, and contribute to the development of the service function.
• Act as the professional specialist, advising and making decisions with full knowledge of services and regulations.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience in payroll management and HR administration.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop large teams.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll processes, pensions, and HR regulations.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to deliver improvements in service efficiency and customer experience.
• Flexible approach to working arrangements, with capacity to attend onsite me