Senior Payroll Specialist

Ultimate Performance; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Health policy

UP discounts

Training discounts

Salary sacrifice benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Hybrid working

Job summary

Ultimate Performance is seeking an experienced Payroll Supervisor to own and optimize payroll across our UK and international entities. You will oversee day-to-day delivery, manage payroll systems like ADP, and maintain strict accuracy and controls.

You will lead a small payroll team, collaborate with Finance, HR, and gym managers across regions, and drive automation to support rapid international growth. Hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Solid payroll expertise across multiple entities and regions.
• Experience leading small payroll teams and collaborating with Finance/HR.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to data accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll delivery across UK and international entities.
• Oversee payroll systems and processes, including ADP, improving automation.
• Manage cycles and stakeholder communication to ensure timely payroll.

Skills

Payroll systems

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Tools

ADP

Job description

Who We Are

At Ultimate Performance, excellence is the standard, not the exception.

We are a luxury, globally expanding personal training and fitness brand, operating across major international markets. We deliver highly personalised, results-driven training experiences built on world‑class expertise, precision, and discretion.

Behind every exceptional client experience is a business that operates with the same level of discipline and attention to detail. Payroll is fundamental to that standard.

As we continue to scale internationally, we are looking for an experienced Payroll Supervisor to take ownership of payroll operations across a complex, multi‑entity environment and ensure our people are paid accurately, on time, and in full.

The Role

Reporting to the Global Payroll Manager, the Payroll Supervisor will play a key role in the delivery and continuous improvement of payroll across our UK and international entities.

This is a senior, hands‑on position for someone who combines strong technical payroll expertise with excellent operational judgement. You will oversee day‑to‑day payroll delivery, manage systems and controls, lead a small team, and work closely with Finance, HR, and operational stakeholders across multiple regions.

You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, confidentiality, and operational control, while identifying opportunities to simplify, automate, and strengthen our payroll processes as the business continues to grow.

This role will suit someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, takes genuine ownership of their work, and is motivated by getting the detail right.

What You'll Do

• Own end-to-end payroll delivery across UK and international entities, ensuring payroll is accurate, timely, compliant, and delivered in line with internal controls
• Oversee payroll systems and processes, including ADP and internal platforms, identifying risks, resolving issues, and improving automation and system utilisation
• Manage payroll cycles and stakeholder communication, working closely with Regional and Gym Managers to resolve discrepancies, communicate deadlines, and ensure smooth payroll delivery
• Review and govern payroll outputs across all entities, maintaining high standards of accuracy, consistency, confidentiality, and control
• Drive continuous improvement across payroll processes, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce manual intervention, strengthen controls, and create scalable solutions for international growth
• Improve international payroll processes, including the handling of international leavers, US payroll requirements, promotions, salary changes, and other employee movements
• Lead and develop the payroll team, providing direction, training, and support while building strong processes, accountability, and knowledge‑sharing across the team
• Partner with Finance, HR, and operational teams across all regions, acting as a trusted point of contact and improving payroll understanding across the wider business
• Support the Global Payroll Manager with wider payroll requirements and projects, including Support Office payroll where required

Requirements

Reporting to the Global Payroll Manager, the Payroll Supervisor will play a key role in the delivery and continuous improvement of payroll across our UK and international entities.

This is a senior, hands‑on position for someone who combines strong technical payroll expertise with excellent operational judgement. You will oversee day‑to‑day payroll delivery, manage systems and controls, lead a small team, and work closely with Finance, HR, and operational stakeholders across multiple regions.

You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, confidentiality, and operational control, while identifying opportunities to simplify, automate, and strengthen our payroll processes as the business continues to grow.

This role will suit someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, takes genuine ownership of their work, and is motivated by getting the detail right.

What We Value

At UP, we believe in high standards and personal accountability. We look for people who embody our values:

Results-Driven: You focus on outcomes that genuinely move the needle

Own It: You take full ownership, wins, failures, & everything in between.

Passion for Progress: You're driven by growth, not just the finish line.

Supportive & Personalised: You adapt your approach because no two people (or challenges) are the same

Benefits

What you'll get when you join the UP team:

• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme: salary sacrifice with employer contributions
• Simply Health policy: claim back costs for dental, optical, physio, massage & more
• Exclusive UP discounts, including 40% off our supplements, books, and partner offers
• Personal Training discounts: up to 50% off our world-class transformation programme (up to 36 sessions a year) for you and a loved one
• Salary sacrifice benefits: Cycle to Work, Tech, and Home schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme: free 24/7 mental health, counselling, and financial advice
• Hybrid working: two days per week working from home

If you are an experienced payroll professional looking for a role where you can take ownership, lead from the front and make a genuine impact within a fast-growing international business, we'd love to hear from you.

All job applicants are required to have a valid right to work.

Your data will be stored by Ultimate Performance and will be used by our HR and recruitment teams for the purpose of managing your application.