Payroll Manager

RG Setsquare; Greater London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

RG Setsquare is recruiting a Payroll Manager for an East London client on a permanent basis. The role leads a payroll team, ensuring accurate monthly payroll and pensions services and compliance with statutory requirements.

You will oversee end-to-end payroll processing, HMRC submissions, and year-end activities such as P60s and P11Ds, while driving continuous improvement and stakeholder collaboration across HR, Finance and external providers.

Qualifications

• The role requires strong knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, pensions and statutory reporting.
• Experience in leading payroll teams and service improvements.
• Ability to manage complex payroll operations in a large organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Payroll team delivering accurate monthly payroll and pensions services.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing and HMRC submissions.
• Manage year-end activities (P60s, P11Ds) and tax reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement and automation of payroll processes.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders and external providers.

Skills

Stakeholder mgmt

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Process improvement

Team coaching

Payroll legislation

Pensions knowledge

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

Oracle Payroll

Job description

Are you in search of a fulfilling role? Look no further! We're thrilled to offer an exciting position for our client based in East London who are looking to appoint a Payroll Manager on a permanent basis, at the salary rate between £54,267 - £57,402 per annum

Job responsibilities

As the Payroll Manager, you will lead a dedicated team responsible for delivering a high-quality payroll and pensions service that supports employees throughout their employment journey.

You will oversee the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements while delivering an efficient, customer-focused service. Working closely with senior leaders, HR, Finance, Pensions and external providers, you will build strong relationships that enable seamless service delivery and support organisational performance.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable managing operational delivery, leading people, driving continuous improvement and influencing strategic change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Payroll team, creating a culture of accountability, customer focus and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of monthly payroll services.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll and pension enquiries.
• Drive service excellence through effective performance management and quality assurance.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing through Oracle Payroll.
• Manage HMRC submissions and all statutory reporting requirements.
• Lead year-end activities, including P60s, P11Ds and associated compliance processes.
• Ensure accurate administration of Local Government and Teachers' Pension schemes.
• Manage BACS payments, payroll reconciliations, deductions, salary sacrifice arrangements, overpayments and court orders.
• Ensure compliance with National Minimum Wage, Living Wage and wider legislative requirements.
• Lead payroll improvement initiatives, reviewing processes and controls to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Support wider workforce transformation and service modernisation programmes.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve the employee experience.
• Contribute to the future design and delivery of payroll services across the organisation.
• Build effective relationships with senior stakeholders, external providers and partner organisations.
• Produce meaningful payroll reporting, analysis and insight.
• Ensure stakeholders receive a responsive, reliable and customer-focused service.

Essential Criteria

• CIPP Qualification or extensive experience managing an end-to-end payroll function within a large and complex organisation.
• Strong technical knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, pensions and statutory reporting requirements.
• Experience of leading, coaching and developing payroll teams.
• Significant experience using Oracle Payroll or a comparable enterprise payroll system.
• Knowledge of Local Government and/or Teachers' Pension schemes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and reconciliation skills.
• Experience of leading service improvements and change initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within Local & Central Government.
• Other public sector organisations and private sector complex organisations experience are also welcomed.