Payroll Manager

WorkNest People; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary

Benefits

Hybrid work

Career growth

Team culture

Job summary

WorkNest is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee multiple UK client payrolls, lead a small team and deliver accurate, compliant services with excellent client relationships. The role combines technical payroll expertise with people leadership in a growing, technology-driven business.

You'll manage year-end processes, RTI submissions and P11Ds, drive continuous improvement, and support system changes while ensuring confidentiality and high service standards across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• CIPP qualified payroll professional with end-to-end experience in a bureau, accountancy practice or outsourced payroll environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small payroll team and ensure accurate, compliant payroll delivery.
• Oversee UK payrolls and client relationships.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure service excellence across the portfolio.
• Drive process improvements and support payroll system changes.

Skills

Payroll processing

People leadership

RTI submissions

P11Ds

Year-end processing

Data analysis

Education

CIPP qualification

Tools

Sage

Job description

If you're passionate about delivering exceptional payroll services, leading a small team and building strong client relationships, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Join Us

HR Solutions is part of WorkNest, a leading provider of people, compliance and health & safety solutions. WorkNest's 900+ colleagues support more than 50,000 organisations worldwide, helping them manage risk, improve performance and protect what matters most. Or, if you want it to feel a little warmer and more people focused: Combining smart technology with expert advice across Employment Law, HR, Health & Safety, Cyber Security, ISO, and Compliance services, we act as a true extension of our clients’ teams.

Following significant growth over the past two years, including international expansion and strategic acquisitions, WorkNest is continuing to grow at pace. As part of Axiom GRC, we have ambitious plans, with a goal of building a £250 million business through sustained growth and innovation.

As our business continues to evolve, so do the opportunities for our colleagues. We're looking for a Payroll Manager to join our collaborative, people focused business, where you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact. You'll oversee the delivery of payroll services for clients across the UK, providing expert guidance and ensuring an accurate, compliant and trusted service.

What We Offer

• Salary: £45,000 basic per annum
• Amazing benefits
• Hybrid, with minimum of 1 day in Kettering office each month
• Opportunity to develop your experience within a growing, technology-driven business
• Collaborative team and supportive culture

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys combining technical expertise with people leadership. You'll be confident managing a busy payroll function, supporting and developing a small team, and ensuring clients receive an accurate, compliant and trusted service. You’ll be comfortable building relationships, responding to payroll queries, maintaining confidentiality, and acting as a trusted point of contact for both clients and colleagues.

You’ll bring strong end to end payroll knowledge, including payroll processing, pensions, statutory payments, RTI submissions, year-end activities and P11Ds. Just as importantly, you’ll have a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to review and enhance processes, support system changes and implementations, analyse data and reporting, and help ensure the payroll service continues to evolve in line with legislation, business needs and client expectations.

About You

We're looking for a CIPP qualified payroll professional with experience managing multiple payrolls, ideally within a bureau, accountancy practice or outsourced payroll environment. You'll be confident handling end to end payroll activities, including year-end processing, statutory payments, P11Ds, client onboarding and working with payroll systems such as Sage. Experience managing client and employee queries, liaising with third party providers and supporting team members is essential.

Just as importantly, you'll be a great communicator who enjoys building positive relationships and delivering an excellent service. In return, you'll join a collaborative and supportive team with a genuinely people focused culture, where ideas are welcomed, development is encouraged and success is celebrated.

Up For The Challenge?

If you share our values – Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, and Inclusion,

HR Solutions is committed to creating a culture of Inclusionand ensuring that everyone – job applicants, clients, colleagues, and anyone else we deal with – is treated fairly and with respect. We continuously review our policies and processes to support our aim to create a diverse team, however, please speak to our Talent Team if there are any adjustments, we need to make in order to ensure, a genuine equality of opportunity.

Closing Date: 11th November 2026

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We may look to close the advert early, so please don't delay in submitting an application.

#Hybrid

WorkNest is part of Axiom GRC, supporting organisations to look after their people and protect what matters most.

We combine expertise in people management, employment law, health and safety, and cyber resilience with smart technology and practical support to help organisations manage risk, maintain compliance, and perform at their best.