Payroll Manager

GHD; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services company based in Manchester is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations for 1000 employees across the UK and Middle East. This role involves managing a small team and ensuring compliance with local legislation, while offering hybrid working options. The ideal candidate should have at least 10 years of payroll experience and strong knowledge in UK payroll legislation. Competitive pay and a supportive environment are offered.

Benefits

Hybrid working options

Supportive and inclusive environment

Qualifications

• 10 years payroll experience ideally within a shared services or multi-country environment.
• Hands-on knowledge of UK payroll legislation.
• Experience in handling pension-related payroll activities and salary sacrifice schemes.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll operations for 1000 employees across the UK and Middle East ensuring compliance with local legislation.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing including statutory obligations, pensions, benefits and salary sacrifice schemes.
• Lead and develop a small payroll team providing coaching and performance management.

Skills

UK payroll legislation

ADP Global View

SAP

Oracle

analytical skills

Excel

communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in payroll, HR or finance

Tools

ADP

Kronos

Workday

Job description

Description

Payroll Manager UK & Middle East

Location : Manchester (Hybrid)

Are you a seasoned payroll professional ready to lead a small team across multiple countries? GHD is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations for the UK and Middle East based in our Manchester office with flexible hybrid working options.

About the Role

We're looking for a highly experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across the UK and Middle East. You'll oversee accurate and compliant payroll for 1000 employees across 4 entities in the UK, Qatar and UAE while managing and developing a small team of two payroll professionals.

This role is ideal for someone with solid end‑to‑end payroll experience who has a strong compliance and local legislation background. Someone who enjoys combining operational delivery with people leadership. You'll partner closely with People and Finance teams to ensure smooth payroll cycles compliance with local regulations and continuous process improvements.

This role is based in our Manchester office with hybrid working options.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage payroll operations for 1000 employees across the UK and Middle East ensuring compliance with local legislation.
• Act as the go‑to expert for payroll legislation, tax compliance and process improvements.
• Oversee end‑to‑end payroll processing including statutory obligations, pensions, benefits and salary sacrifice schemes.
• Lead and develop a small payroll team (2 people) providing coaching, performance management and day‑to‑day support.
• Act as the subject matter expert for payroll queries, audits and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including People teams, Finance and regional leadership.
• Drive continuous process improvement initiatives and payroll system enhancements (e.g. ADP GV HRIS).
• Ensure timely completion of audits, reconciliations and reporting requirements.

What You'll Bring

• 10 years payroll experience ideally within a shared services or multi‑country environment. Familiar with a shared services or BPO environment with hands‑on use of intermediate to complex ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle or BST10.
• Expertise in managing payroll cycles using ADP Global View or similar platforms along with a comprehensive understanding of HRIS platforms.
• Hands‑on knowledge of UK payroll legislation.
• Middle East payroll experience a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing payroll teams delivering projects and driving process improvement initiatives.
• Experience in handling pension‑related payroll activities and salary sacrifice schemes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret payroll data and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Strong Excel and reporting skills with the ability to work across HR and Finance teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in payroll, HR or finance is preferred.

Why GHD

At GHD we are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and high‑performing environment. You'll be part of a global professional services company that values:

Safety – We prioritize the wellbeing of our people.

Teamwork – We collaborate to achieve shared goals.

Respect – We listen and value diverse perspectives.

Integrity – We act with honesty and professionalism.

Ready to Apply

Join us in shaping the future of payroll at GHD. Apply now to be part of a global team that values innovation, leadership and excellence.

Required Experience: Manager

Key Skills

Dayforce, Paychex, Payroll Management, Ceridian, Paylocity, SOX, Payroll, ADP, Kronos, Human Resources, JD Edwards, Workday

Employment Type

Full Time

Experience

10 years

Vacancy

1