Payroll Manager

GHD Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services company is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations across the UK and Middle East from their Manchester office. The role includes managing a small team, ensuring compliance with UK and Middle Eastern payroll regulations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Ideal candidates should have 7-10 years of payroll experience, strong leadership skills, and familiarity with multi-country payroll processes.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Teamwork and collaboration opportunities

Professional growth and development

Qualifications

• 7-10 years' payroll experience in a shared services or multi-country environment.
• Hands-on knowledge of UK payroll legislation.
• Experience managing payroll teams and driving process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll operations for ~1,000 employees across the UK and Middle East.
• Ensure compliance with local legislation in payroll processing.
• Lead and develop a small payroll team, providing coaching and support.

Skills

Payroll management

Regulatory compliance

People leadership

Process improvement

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

ERP systems

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in payroll, HR, or finance

Tools

ADP Global View

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Job 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 high experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across the UK and Middle East. You'll oversee accurate and compliant payroll for ~1,000 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 ~1,000 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

• 7-10 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're 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.