Payroll Systems/Team Lead

HRGO Recruitment; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

HRGO Recruitment in Ashford is seeking a Payroll Systems/Team Lead to manage day-to-day payroll operations for employees, contractors and temps, while driving automation and standardisation of workflows.

You will supervise a small payroll team, own system workflows, and deliver accurate reporting with strong attention to detail. The role is hybrid, offering both office and home-based days.

Qualifications

• Proven payroll experience including contractor/temps payroll.
• Experience implementing or operating payroll automation (RPA, integrations, scripting).
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems and data flows; proficient with payroll/HR/finance software.

Responsibilities

• Supervise end-to-end payroll processing for employees, contractors and temporary staff.
• Manage and mentor a small payroll team, prioritising workloads and providing training.
• Reconcile payroll totals, resolve discrepancies and maintain payroll records and audit trails.
• Liaise with HR, Finance and external suppliers for onboarding, leavers, timesheets and contractor payments.
• Lead automation and process improvements: maintain integrations and develop efficiencies using workflow tools or RPA.
• Prepare management reports, month-end activities and respond to payroll queries.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, tax and pension requirements; support year-end processes.

Skills

Payroll experience

Automation mindset

Payroll systems/data flows

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Tools

Payroll software

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Payroll Systems/Team Lead

Location: Ashford

Job Type: Full time (Hybrid - 2 days in the office/3 days at home)

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum (Dependent on experience)

We are recruiting a Payroll Systems & Team Lead to lead the day to day running and continuous improvement of our client’s payroll platform. Alongside hands on processing for contractors and temps, you will own system workflows, controls, reporting and integrations, championing automation and standardisation to enhance accuracy, visibility and scalability.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise end to end payroll processing for employees, contractors and temporary staff, ensuring accurate, timely payments and statutory compliance.
• Manage and mentor a small payroll team, prioritising workloads and providing training and coaching.
• Reconcile payroll totals, resolve discrepancies and maintain payroll records and audit trails.
• Liaise with HR, Finance and external suppliers to manage onboarding, leavers, timesheets, expenses and contractor payments.
• Lead automation and process improvement initiatives: implement and maintain automation tools, maintain integrations between payroll and HR/finance systems, and develop efficiencies using workflow tools, macros or RPA where appropriate.
• Prepare management reports, month end activities and respond to payroll queries from internal stakeholders and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, tax and pension requirements; support year end processes.

Essential skills and experience

• Proven payroll experience, including direct responsibility for contractor and temporary staff payroll.
• Experience implementing or operating payroll automation (e.g., RPA, integrations, scripting, automated workflows) and a drive to improve processes through technology.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems and data flows; confident working with payroll/HR/finance software and Excel.
• Excellent attention to detail, problem solving skills and the ability to work to deadlines.
• Good communication skills and experience working with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience supervising or leading a small team.