Payroll Manager

Harrods; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrods in London is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee the group’s payroll operations, ensuring colleagues are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance. You will drive end-to-end payroll delivery, manage schedules and governance, and partner with HR, Finance and external providers to maintain data integrity.

The role requires strong people leadership, stakeholder management and a proactive approach to process improvement, with knowledge of UK payroll legislation and experience with systems

Qualifications

• Experience leading end-to-end payroll operations.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance.
• Ability to manage payroll governance, controls and audits.
• Experience with payroll systems like Workday or ResourceLink.
• Proven people management and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll delivery across the Group.
• Own payroll schedules, timetables, controls, reconciliations and reporting.
• Ensure compliance and on-time, accurate pay.
• Lead and develop a high-performing payroll team.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Reward, Systems, and external providers.

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Payroll Manager to join our HR team here at Harrods. You will be accountable for the operational delivery of payroll across the Group, ensuring colleagues are paid accurately, compliantly and on time.

About the Role

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the successful end-to-end delivery of payroll services across the Group, ensuring all payrolls are processed accurately, compliantly, and within agreed deadlines. This role owns payroll schedules, operational timetables, controls, reconciliations, funding activities, payment processes, and statutory reporting requirements, while maintaining a strong focus on risk management and payroll governance. Acting as the key escalation point for complex payroll matters, the postholder ensures issues are resolved effectively and that payroll processes, procedures, and controls remain robust and fit for purpose. The role also oversees payroll systems, reporting, audits, legislative compliance, and the delivery of continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and data integrity.

In addition, the Payroll Manager leads and develops a high-performing payroll team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. They are responsible for delivering an excellent payroll service experience across all colleague and manager touchpoints, ensuring service levels are achieved and stakeholder expectations are met. Working closely with HR, Finance, Reward, Systems teams, and external providers, they build strong relationships to ensure payroll processes remain aligned, effective, and responsive to business needs. The role provides operational insight, technical expertise, and strategic support through performance reporting, change initiatives, process optimisation, and the implementation of legislative and regulatory requirements.

About You

We are looking for an experienced payroll leader with strong end-to-end payroll expertise and a passion for delivering exceptional service through high-performing teams. You will be equally comfortable leading day-to-day operations, providing technical payroll guidance, and developing colleagues, while effectively managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. As a proactive and solutions-focused professional, you will bring strong stakeholder management skills, a commitment to continuous improvement, and the ability to build collaborative relationships across the business.

The successful candidate will have significant experience leading in-house payroll operations, with a strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, compliance requirements and payroll controls. You will possess excellent people management, analytical, reporting, and organisational skills, alongside proven experience managing payroll systems, upgrades, testing, audits and change initiatives. Experience with systems such as Workday and ResourceLink is highly desirable, and a CIPP qualification, or equivalent professional certification, would be an advantage.

About Us

Harrods is one of the world’s leading luxury department stores and we’re becoming a destination for top designers, and the most sought-after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world’s most inspiring shopping experiences.

Our Promise to You

Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business.

Whilst our job adverts outline the ideal qualities, skills, and prior experience for the role, we believe in the potential for growth and value individual strengths. If you can demonstrate the majority of skills and strong experience to thrive in this role, we would encourage you to apply.

At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart. We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.

If you want to know more about life at Harrods, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods.