Payroll Manager

Guidant Global; South Shields; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidant Global is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager for a hybrid role, overseeing day-to-day payroll operations and leading transformation during the SAP to Oracle Fusion upgrade. You will work closely with HR and Finance to ensure accurate payroll delivery and continual process improvements.

The role requires strong UK payroll knowledge, stakeholder management, and a proactive approach in a changing environment. Contract position through 29 January 2027 with hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing payroll operations in a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Experience with payroll system implementation or large-scale transformation projects.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle Fusion or similar HR and payroll systems.
• Excellent Excel skills and payroll reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services.
• Support the transition from SAP to Oracle Fusion (Redwood) and related testing/implementation activities.
• Provide leadership and capacity across the payroll function.
• Ensure payroll processes are efficient, customer focused and compliant.
• Identify opportunities to improve ways of working and service delivery.
• Build relationships with HR, Finance and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Provide expert advice on payroll matters and resolve complex issues.
• Contribute to development of payroll processes, controls and reporting capabilities.
• Monitor payroll performance and support achievement of objectives.
• Handle sensitive employee data in line with data protection requirements.

Skills

Payroll management

UK payroll

Stakeholder management

Excel

SAP/Oracle Fusion

Data protection

Change management

Tools

SAP

Oracle Fusion

Job description

Title: Payroll Manager

Location: Hybrid Working (Home and Office Based)

Contract: Contract until 29 January 2027

JOB DESCRIPTION

About the Role

• We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to join our team during an exciting period of transformation and improvement. This role has been created to provide additional leadership and capacity as we transition from SAP to Oracle Fusion (Redwood), helping to ensure the continued delivery of a high-quality payroll service while supporting key improvement initiatives.
• Reporting to the Head of HR Shared Services, you will work alongside the existing Payroll Manager to lead business-as-usual payroll operations, support change programmes, and contribute to the development of a more efficient, future-ready payroll function.
• This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional with strong operational experience and a passion for process improvement and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and organisational policies.
• Support the successful transition from SAP to Oracle Fusion (Redwood), contributing to process improvements, testing and implementation activities.
• Work closely with the existing Payroll Manager to provide leadership and additional capacity across the payroll function.
• Ensure payroll processes are efficient, effective and customer focused.
• Identify opportunities to improve ways of working and enhance service delivery.
• Build strong relationships with HR, Finance and key stakeholders across the organisation.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on payroll matters, resolving complex issues where required.
• Support the continuous development of payroll processes, controls and reporting capabilities.
• Monitor payroll performance and contribute to the delivery of departmental objectives and improvement plans.
• Ensure sensitive employee and payroll data is handled confidentially and in line with data protection requirements.

About You

• We are looking for an experienced payroll professional who can balance operational delivery with continuous improvement initiatives.

You will have:

• Significant experience managing payroll operations within a complex organisation.
• A strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, statutory requirements and best practice.
• Experience of payroll system implementation, upgrades or large-scale transformation projects.
• Knowledge of SAP, Oracle Fusion or similar HR and payroll systems.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience using payroll reporting tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively across teams while also taking ownership of key deliverable.
• A proactive and adaptable approach within a changing environment.

Why Join Us?

• This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of payroll services during a significant systems transformation. You'll have the opportunity to influence improvement plans, support colleagues through change and contribute to the delivery of a modern, efficient payroll function.