Senior Client Payroll Executive (Education Managed Services)

IRIS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Collaborative payroll team

Diversity and inclusion culture

Job summary

IRIS, a leading UK payroll software provider, is seeking a Senior Client Payroll Executive to join the Education Payroll Bureau Services team. You will blend hands-on payroll processing with coaching, mentoring, and team support, ensuring accurate payrolls and exceptional service for clients.

You will guide colleagues on payroll legislation, perform quality checks, support workload planning, and help drive service improvements.

Qualifications

• Significant end-to-end payroll processing experience.
• Strong understanding of current payroll legislation.
• Experience working with payroll systems and bureau environments.
• Excellent Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A customer-focused mindset and passion for delivering quality service.
• The ability to coach, support and positively influence colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Process client payrolls accurately and within deadlines.
• Support and mentor Payroll Executives and Trainees.
• Provide expert guidance on payroll legislation and best practice.
• Carry out payroll quality checks and ensure compliance standards are maintained.
• Assist with workload planning and team coordination.
• Manage client queries and support the resolution of escalated issues.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the payroll function.
• Support management reporting and performance tracking.

Skills

Payroll processing

Payroll legislation

Coaching

Customer service

Excel

Communication

Mentoring

Payroll systems

Education

CIPP qualification or equivalent

Tools

Payroll software systems

Job description

About IRIS

IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms.

We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.

Are you a payroll professional with a passion for client service and supporting others to succeed?

At IRIS, we're trusted by more than 100,000 customers globally, with one in eight UK employees paid through our payroll solutions. As part of our continued growth, we're looking for a Senior Client Payroll Executive to join our Education Payroll Bureau Services team.

The Role

As a Senior Client Payroll Executive, you'll combine hands‑on payroll processing with coaching, mentoring, and team support responsibilities. Acting as a payroll specialist, you'll play a key role in ensuring payrolls are processed accurately, clients receive exceptional service, and colleagues receive the guidance and support they need to succeed.

Key Responsibilities

• Process client payrolls accurately and within agreed deadlines.

• Support and mentor Payroll Executives and Trainees.

• Provide expert guidance on payroll legislation and best practice.

• Carry out payroll quality checks and ensure compliance standards are maintained.

• Assist with workload planning and team coordination.

• Manage client queries and support the resolution of escalated issues.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the payroll function.

• Support management reporting and performance tracking.

About You

You'll be an experienced payroll professional who enjoys balancing technical expertise with people support and customer service.

You'll have:

• Significant end to end payroll processing experience.

• A strong understanding of current payroll legislation.

• CIPP qualification or equivalent.

• Experience working with payroll systems and bureau environments.

• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• A customer‑focused mindset and passion for delivering quality service.

• The ability to coach, support and positively influence colleagues.

Why IRIS?

• Join one of the UK's leading software and services organisations.

• Be part of a supportive and collaborative payroll team.

• Develop your leadership and mentoring skills.

• Work with a diverse portfolio of clients across multiple sectors.

• Play an important role in shaping service excellence and team success.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.

• Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.

• Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.
  

What to expect from our hiring process

Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role‑specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect:

1. Application review — we assess your experience and potential

2. Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role

3. Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review

4. Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS

We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence.

If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.