Senior Payroll Lead – Hybrid & Strategy

Cornerstone; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone is seeking a Payroll Lead to shape and oversee our end-to-end payroll and pension service across Scotland. You will lead Payroll Business Partners, Specialists and Officers, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely payments.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership. You’ll drive system and process improvements, uphold controls, and partner with HMRC, pension providers and auditors to mitigate risk.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading end-to-end payroll and pension services in a large or complex organisation.
• Current knowledge of PAYE, RTI, NI, statutory payments and auto-enrolment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of monthly payroll and pension services.
• Lead and develop the Payroll Team to create a positive, customer-focused environment.
• Review and approve payroll before submission with appropriate checks and reconciliations.

Skills

PAYE & RTI

Pension administration

Leadership

Excel & data analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree-level qualification

CIPP/IPPM qualification or equivalent

Tools

Access Select Pay

Job description

Cornerstone is seeking a Payroll Lead to shape and oversee our end-to-end payroll and pension service across Scotland. You will lead Payroll Business Partners, Specialists and Officers, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely payments.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership. You’ll drive system and process improvements, uphold controls, and partner with HMRC, pension providers and auditors to mitigate risk.