Senior Payroll Manager - Central, London

Third Space; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive bonus

Group membership

Complementary membership for a friend

Discounted PT sessions

Spa treatment discounts

Job summary

Third Space is seeking a Senior Payroll Manager to lead our payroll function centrally for London-based clubs and group entities, ensuring accurate, on-time payments and robust controls.

You'll own the end-to-end payroll, drive automation, partner with Finance, and develop the payroll team as we scale our estate across London. CIPP or equivalent expertise is preferred; significant UK payroll leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant UK payroll leadership experience within a multi-site/ multi-entity context.
• Expert knowledge of UK payroll legislation including PAYE and NI.
• Experience with complex/variable pay (commission, activity-based earnings, hourly populations).
• Proven payroll transformation and process automation track record.
• Experience implementing/optimising HR/payroll systems and pensions.
• CIPP qualification or equivalent credential.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll across all group entities with compliance and year-end delivery.
• Act as technical authority on payroll, tax and pensions for the business.
• Lead payroll transformation to automate manual processes and improve controls.
• Own and optimise payroll and people systems with stakeholders.
• Partner with Finance and other stakeholders on reporting, reconciliations and accruals.
• Lead and develop the payroll team and establish service standards.

Skills

Payroll leadership

UK payroll expertise

Complex pay models

Payroll transformation

Pensions & auto-enrolment

CIPP qualified

Job description

Senior Payroll Manager - Central, london

In August 2026, we welcomed members to our 16th club, Paternoster Square. In the heart of the city, just moments from St Paul's, our newest club offers high-spec training zones, from Reformer Pilates and Yoga to a dedicated Strength & Conditioning Studio, all alongside a world-class wet spa.

As we look ahead, our ambition is to continue growing our estate over the next five years, while ensuring the infrastructure behind our business evolves with us. Payroll will play a critical role in that journey, ensuring our people are paid accurately and on time, while delivering the robust processes, controls and compliance needed to support an increasingly complex and growing organisation. To support this next phase, we're looking for a Senior Payroll Manager who can lead our payroll function, drive continuous improvement and ensure we deliver an exceptional payroll experience for our people.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of payroll at Third Space. You'll be our technical authority on payroll, tax and pensions, while leading a talented team through the next stage of our growth. With real scope to challenge how we work, introduce greater automation and replace manual processes with robust, scalable solutions, you'll have the opportunity to build a best-in-class payroll function that can grow alongside the business.

Why Third Space?

At Third Space, we believe great people deserve great opportunities.

We're committed to creating an environment where talented individuals can do their best work, continually develop their expertise and build rewarding careers alongside exceptional colleagues.

You'll work with ambitious people who are passionate about their craft, supported by industry-leading learning and development opportunities designed to help you reach your potential.

As we continue to grow across London, you'll have the opportunity to shape your career, contribute to a high-performing culture and play a meaningful role within one of the most respected brands in the industry.

What you'll do

• Own the end-to-end payroll function across all group entities, ensuring every employee is paid accurately and on time, with strong statutory compliance, year-end delivery and payroll controls.


• Be the business's technical authority on payroll, tax and pensions, providing expert guidance across PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, benefits, salary sacrifice, variable pay and workplace pensions.


• Lead the transformation and automation of payroll, replacing manual and spreadsheet-based processes with controlled, system-driven solutions that are scalable, efficient and fully auditable.


• Own and optimise our payroll and people systems, improving data integrity, controls and functionality, and partnering with the People team and system providers to continually improve how we work.


• Partner closely with Finance and key stakeholders, ensuring accurate payroll reporting, reconciliations and accruals, while advising the business on the payroll implications of organisational change.


• Lead and develop the payroll team, building technical and systems capability, embedding clear processes and service standards, and creating a high-performing payroll function that can support the continued growth of Third Space.

What we're looking for

• Significant UK payroll leadership experience within a complex, multi-site and/or multi-entity organisation, with strong technical payroll expertise.


• Expert knowledge of UK payroll legislation and taxation, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, benefits, salary sacrifice and termination payments.


• Experience managing complex and variable pay models, ideally including commission, activity-based earnings and large hourly-paid populations.


• A strong track record of payroll transformation and process improvement, using systems and automation to replace manual, spreadsheet-led processes and strengthen controls.


• Experience implementing or optimising HR and payroll systems, alongside strong knowledge of workplace pensions and auto-enrolment requirements.


• CIPP qualified or equivalent, with the technical credibility, leadership skills and continuous improvement mindset to lead a high-performing payroll function.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive bonus, based on company targets


• Complementary group membership for yourself


• After a year with us, you will also get an additional complementary membership for a friend or family member


• Discounted PT sessions


• Discounts on Spa treatments and Natural Fitness Food products