Payroll Team Leader

Group 1 Automotive; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic automotive group in Milton Keynes is seeking a Payroll Team Leader to oversee payroll operations and ensure compliance with regulations. This role requires strong leadership and in-depth payroll knowledge, with responsibilities including mentoring staff and managing payroll software. Candidates should have experience in high-volume payroll environments and relevant qualifications. The company fosters a supportive work culture with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

33 days of annual leave

Exclusive retail discounts

Discounts on new and used cars

Company pension scheme

Flexible working options

Paid volunteering day

Training and development opportunities

24/7 healthcare access

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees.
• Ensure compliance with PAYE, NI, pensions, and statutory regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop payroll staff.
• Liaise with HMRC and other regulatory bodies.
• Manage payroll software and system upgrades.
• Implement controls to minimize errors and reconcile payroll accounts.
• Act as point of contact for escalated payroll queries.
• Represent the organization in audits and legal proceedings.
• Provide KPIs and payroll insights to senior leadership.
• Contribute to payroll transformation and strategic initiatives.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of payroll legislation

Experience with multi-site or high-volume payroll

Strong leadership and mentoring skills

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Familiarity with pension schemes and benefits

Experience in payroll audits or reconciliations

Project management or change leadership experience

Education

CIPP qualification or equivalent

Job description

Payroll Team Leader - Head Office, Milton Keynes

Good, honest, rewarding work. It's how we're built.

At the heart of our Payroll Services department, our Payroll Team Leader is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the payroll team, ensuring accurate and timely processing of employee compensation. This role combines leadership, compliance, and technical expertise to deliver a reliable payroll service while driving continuous improvement and team development.

As part of a successful, global automotive group, you’ll gain valuable experience within a dynamic working environment. And with the right support from us, you’ll be able to progress as high as you can aim.

What we can offer you

• Enjoy 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) to rest and recharge
• Save money every day with our exclusive retail discounts
• Drive a great deal with discounts on new and used cars, plus servicing offers
• Plan for the years ahead with our company pension scheme
• Balance home and work with our industry-leading family-friendly policies designed to help you spend more time with the people that matter
• Commute for less with our cycle-to-work scheme
• Prioritise your wellbeing with dedicated support for you and your family
• 24/7 access to healthcare professionals, ensuring you get the expert advice you need quickly and easily
• Make a difference with a paid day to volunteer in your community
• Invest in your future with our company share purchase plan
• Earn financial rewards when you refer a friend to join the team
• Keep learning and growing with our training and development opportunities for everyone.
• Life assurance with the option to increase cover
• We’re open to flexible working options – just ask

What you’ll do day to day

• Oversee payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees.
• Ensure compliance with PAYE, NI, pensions, and statutory regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop payroll staff.
• Liaise with HMRC and other regulatory bodies.
• Manage payroll software and system upgrades.
• Implement controls to minimize errors and reconcile payroll accounts.
• Act as point of contact for escalated payroll queries.
• Represent the organization in audits and legal proceedings.
• Provide KPIs and payroll insights to senior leadership.
• Contribute to payroll transformation and strategic initiatives.

Helpful skills and qualifications

Don’t worry about ticking off every single skill here − if you care about delivering great experiences as much as we do, we want to hear from you.

• In-depth knowledge of payroll legislation
• Experience with multi-site or high-volume payroll
• CIPP qualification or equivalent
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Familiarity with pension schemes and benefits
• Experience in payroll audits or reconciliations
• Project management or change leadership experience

We value diversity and believe it strengthens our team. If you don’t meet every requirement listed but are enthusiastic about this role and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply.

Be part of something big

Group 1 Automotive is on an exciting growth journey. We are home to over 7000 colleagues dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, with 114 dealerships in the UK, representing 21 brands at the forefront of automotive retail.

But you don’t need to love cars to work with us – just need to share our mission to create outstanding and trusted experiences for our customers, our partners, and our people.

Our Values

At Group 1 Automotive we pride ourselves on our five core values that are incorporated in all we that do.

Respect - Integrity - Transparency - Teamwork – Professionalism

These are the principles that every member of our team lives by, whether that be business functions, customer interactions, how we interact with the local community and even how we view each other in the team.