Interim Payroll Manager

UPP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days holiday

Job summary

UPP is seeking an interim Payroll & Reward Manager to lead the full payroll lifecycle across our university accommodation operations in the UK, based in London with hybrid working.

You will manage salary and bonus reviews, oversee third-party providers, pensions and benefits, ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, and deliver timely reporting to HR, Finance and senior stakeholders.

This 12-month contract starts in Oct 2026 and offers a competitive salary and 29 days holiday.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing payroll within a large/complex organisation.
• Proven ability to lead payroll, pensions and rewards with accuracy.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full payroll lifecycle across operations and corporate areas.
• Lead annual salary and bonus reviews to ensure market competitiveness.
• Manage third-party payroll providers, pensions and benefits.
• Provide regular reporting to HR, Finance and senior stakeholders.
• Drive process improvements to streamline payroll processes.

Skills

Payroll management

Workday

Excel

UK payroll legislation

Pensions & benefits

Third-party payroll providers

Tools

Workday

SAP

Oracle

Job description

UPP are committed to creating exceptional places for students to live and learn. As the UK's leading provider of on-campus accommodation and infrastructure, we know that great colleague experiences start with getting the fundamentals right.

We're looking for an interim Payroll & Reward Manager to take the lead in effectively managing the full payroll lifecycle, including the third party payroll provider, accounting, pensions and benefits across our operations and corporate business areas. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a critical people function, ensuring our colleagues are paid accurately, supported effectively and receive a market-leading benefits experience.

Overseeing the full pay lifecycle is an important part of the role. You’ll manage the annual salary and bonus reviews, ensuring all pay and benefits activities are delivered accurately and ensure they comply with current legislation and tax requirements. You’ll be the trusted subject matter expert for payroll, pensions and reward, providing advice and guidance on policies and practices while helping to maintain a fair, compliant and equitable approach to pay and benefits across the organisation.

You will provide regular and ad-hoc reporting to support the wider HR team, Finance, and key stakeholders in Senior Management and Board meetings. Contributing to the development of automated employee and manager services related to payroll and benefits, working closely and collaboratively with other departments to provide an effective and efficient service, plus drive continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance the employee experience.

This is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract role to cover maternity leave from October 2026 and will be based in our award-winning London office on Arthur Street, with hybrid working and excellent transport links from Cannon Street, Monument, Bank and London Bridge stations. We are open to considering both four and five-day working patterns, with flexibility dependent on experience and the needs of the role.

We're looking for you to be an experienced payroll and reward professional who combines technical expertise with a proactive, customer-focused approach, along with:

• Significant experience managing payroll within a large/complex operational organisation.
• Experience using HR systems such as Workday, SAP or Oracle and have advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to work confidently with payroll and reward data.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pensions and employee benefits.
• Experience managing third-party payroll providers and service delivery.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A collaborative mindset with a passion for delivering outstanding service continuous improvement.

You’ll be part of a passionate and supportive team where your expertise will have a direct impact on the employee experience. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including 29 days holiday, and the chance to contribute to a business with a strong purpose and long-term vision.

UPP welcome all applications and recognise the value of having a diverse and inclusive culture, which reflects the communities we work with and has a positive impact on our people, our student residents, and our university partners.

We understand all disabilities, impairments and conditions are unique, so please advise us of any adjustments which would support you through our recruitment process and also help you to thrive at work.

Our core values of Innovation, Sustainability, Community, Partnership and Respect, are fundamental to our culture and summarise what is important to our business and our people.