Payroll Manager jobs in United States

Payroll Manager – Local Authority

Location: BS1 6AL, Hybrid working
Start date: 30/04/2025
Contract Duration: 3+ months
Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 hours per week
Pay Rate: 22.65 per hour plus holiday pay

Job Purpose

• Lead a team to ensure efficient, timely and accurate payroll services in line with current legislation and conditions of service.
• Provide strategic oversight and identify opportunities for service development and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direct line management to the payroll team.
• Manage end–to–end payroll operations for council employees, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Act as subject matter expert on complex payroll issues including maternity, sickness, pension contributions, and multiple employment.
• Work closely with HR and recruitment teams to onboard new employees and ensure accurate payroll setup.
• Lead the payroll element of implementing new systems and procedures, and ensure readiness for pension auto–enrolment.
• Deliver accurate and timely payroll reporting for HR and internal stakeholders.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement – exploring automation and modernisation opportunities.
• Take ownership of payroll–related audits and compliance tasks.
• Represent payroll within cross–functional HR projects and working groups.

What We're Looking For:

• Professional payroll qualification (e.g. CIPP or equivalent).
• Experience within a local authority or public sector payroll environment.
• Proven experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
• Extensive knowledge of payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance and statutory deductions.
• Ability to interpret terms and conditions of employment and apply them accurately.
• Strong IT skills with excellent working knowledge of payroll systems.
• Proven ability to lead on process improvements and service transformation.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet strict deadlines.