Senior Payroll Manager

Randstad; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK is seeking a seasoned Payroll Executive with extensive experience in payroll management. The role involves leading a team of Payroll Managers and ensuring operational excellence in delivering complex payroll solutions. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years of experience, a strong grasp of payroll legislation, and a proven track record in service transformation. This is a pivotal role for driving innovation and excellence in payroll service delivery.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of progressive payroll experience in leadership roles.
• Track record in transforming outsourced payroll services.
• Deep knowledge of compliance and best practices in payroll.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Payroll Managers and specialists.
• Oversee multi-client payroll delivery ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Manage client relationships and act as a senior advisor.

Skills

Expert knowledge of payroll legislation

Exceptional leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Project management

Education

University degree

IPASS qualification

Job description

Key Leadership & Strategic Accountabilities

• Executive Leadership: Lead and mentor two Payroll Managers and a large team of specialists, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and client focus. Drive performance management and succession planning across the function.
• Operational Governance: Oversee the end-to-end delivery of complex multi-client payrolls, guaranteeing accuracy, timeliness (SLAs), and 100% adherence to all statutory and compliance obligations.
• Commercial Relationship Management: Act as a senior advisor and key escalation point for external clients, ensuring exceptional service delivery and high retention rates. Manage a complex personal client portfolio.
• Transformation & Growth: Define and execute the strategic roadmap for the payroll offering, championing automation, system implementations, and process innovation to drive efficiency and service quality.
• Financial Stewardship: Support departmental budgeting, resource allocation, and contribute commercially to client proposals, pricing strategies, and business development initiatives.

Required Profile

• 8-10 years of progressive payroll experience, including 3-5 years in a senior leadership role managing managers/large teams.
• Expertise: Deep, expert-level knowledge of payroll legislation, compliance, and best practice. IPASS qualification is essential.
• Track Record: Proven success in transforming outsourced payroll services, leading large-scale projects, and implementing new payroll systems.
• Attributes: Exceptional leadership, senior-level stakeholder management, commercial acumen, and high integrity.

Randstad encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Whilst appointments will be made on merit alone candidates must be able to prove their right to work in the UK or the Republic of Ireland (as relevant). Randstad acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

experience 5 years pqe plus

education university