Payroll Manager

Sheridan Maine London; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote‑first working

Occasional Dorset office days

Job summary

Sheridan Maine London is partnering with a well‑established organisation to recruit an experienced Payroll Manager to join their Finance team. The role oversees end‑to‑end payroll for ~2,000 employees across multiple payrolls, with a focus on accuracy and timely processing.

The position offers remote‑first working, with Dorset/Hampshire base and typically two days per month in the Dorset office, plus occasional team days.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a complex, high‑volume payroll function.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory payments and pension administration.
• Experience leading and developing a payroll team.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Proactive, hands‑on approach to improving payroll processes and systems.
• Experience with Dayforce is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage end‑to‑end payroll for ~2,000 employees across multiple payrolls.
• Lead and develop a small payroll team.
• Ensure accurate processing of salaries, overtime, allowances, deductions and statutory payments.
• Maintain compliance with HMRC, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and legislation.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, year‑end processes and audits.
• Manage payroll systems, testing, updates and improvements.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and senior stakeholders to provide payroll advice.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and strengthen controls.

Skills

Payroll management

UK payroll legislation

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Dayforce

Education

CIPP qualification (beneficial)

Tools

Dayforce

Job description

Sheridan Maine is delighted to be partnering with a well-established organisation to recruit an experienced Payroll Manager to join their Finance team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and technically strong payroll professional to take ownership of a busy payroll function, overseeing the accurate and timely payment of approximately 2,000 employees across multiple pay groups.

Offering remote-first working, with office attendance in Dorset typically twice a month, this role provides a great balance of flexibility, responsibility and the opportunity to make a real impact.

Applicants must be based in Dorset or Hampshire.

Key responsibilities of the Payroll Manager will include:

• Managing the end-to-end payroll process for approximately 2,000 employees across multiple payrolls.
• Leading, supporting and developing a small payroll team.
• Ensuring accurate processing of salaries, overtime, allowances, deductions and statutory payments.
• Maintaining compliance with HMRC, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and employment legislation.
• Overseeing payroll reconciliations, statutory reporting, year-end processes and audits.
• Managing payroll systems, including testing, updates and improvements.
• Working closely with HR, Finance and senior stakeholders to provide technical payroll advice and support.
• Identifying opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls and improve efficiencies.

The successful Payroll Manager will have:

• Proven experience managing a complex, high-volume payroll function, ideally within a large organisation.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll legislation, statutory payments and pension administration.
• Previous experience leading and developing a payroll team.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and the ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a genuine interest in improving payroll processes and systems.
• Experience using Dayforce would be particularly advantageous, although not essential.
• CIPP qualifications would be beneficial but are not essential.

What's on offer:

• Competitive salary of £45,000-£50,000.
• Remote‑first working, with typically two days per month in the Dorset office, plus occasional team days.
• The opportunity to manage a sizeable payroll function within an established organisation.
• A varied role combining hands‑on payroll management, team leadership and continuous improvement.

If you're an experienced Payroll Manager looking for a new challenge with excellent flexibility, we'd love to hear from you.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK full‑time without restriction.