Senior Payroll Manager

Ifac Ireland; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services firm in Kilkenny is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Manager to lead a dynamic team. This role involves managing payroll services for a diverse client base, ensuring compliance, and enhancing service delivery. Candidates should have significant payroll experience, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage client relationships effectively. The position offers a competitive salary, extensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Market-leading compensation and benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Employer pension contribution

Access to a bike to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• 8–10 years payroll experience, with 3–5 years in a senior management role.
• Proven track record of leading payroll projects and service compliance.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Payroll Managers and Specialists.
• Oversee timely delivery of client payrolls and compliance.
• Build trust-based relationships with external clients.

Skills

Leadership capability

Stakeholder management

Payroll expertise

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Third-level qualification in Payroll, HR, Finance, or related discipline

IPASS qualification

Job description

Recruitment: Senior Payroll Manager

Do you want to be valued, make an impact, and achieve your potential?

We are seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Manager to join our HR & Payroll Services team in Kilkenny. We provide an exciting environment where you can grow your skills while making an impact in a fast-growing organisation committed to helping great clients build profitable sustainable businesses.

The Role

The Senior Payroll Manager will lead the delivery of outsourced payroll services to a diverse client base, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and service excellence. With responsibility for two Payroll Managers and a team of Specialists, the role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and a collaborative approach.

About Ifac

Founded in 1975, Ifac is Ireland's specialist professional services firm for the farming, food, agri, and family business sectors. We are an award-winning employer and one of Ireland's Top Ten Accountancy firms. Ifac is also one of Ireland’s Top 200 Employers 2025 as listed by the Irish Independent in partnership with Statista, and a PrimeGlobal member firm. As Ireland's largest farming, food, and agribusiness professional services firm, ifac is proud to be certified as a B Corporation (B Corp).

Our Purpose

Ifac's purpose is to help its clients to build profitable sustainable futures, so that people and communities across Ireland can thrive.

Our Ambition

With a strong focus on global best practice, Ifac has set its ambition to be a global leader in agrifood advisory, while also driving growth and excellence in Ireland's dynamic SME sector.

Why Join Ifac?

At Ifac, we are more than just a workplace – we are a community of professionals committed to growth, innovation, and sector leadership. When you join our team, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Work with industry-leading experts and clients in Ireland’s farming, food, agribusiness, and SME sectors.
• Be part of a values-driven culture emphasising collaboration, commitment, energy, respect, and foresight.
• Build a great career, help us achieve our ambitions and help shape the future of Ireland’s business landscape.
• Enjoy a competitive compensation package, including performance-based bonuses and significant opportunities for professional growth.

Making an impact

We build strong client connections through great service, sectoral expertise, and deep engagement. Many of our clients have been with us for generations and we have helped those families build and retain wealth, transition assets, and optimize opportunities. Operating within a culture that is both collaborative and client focused, the Senior Payroll Manager will foster partnership, innovation, and accountability to deliver operational excellence and strategic value.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Team Management:
• Lead, inspire, and develop two Payroll Managers and a team of Payroll Specialists, embedding a collaborative and client focused culture.
• Drive performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Payroll Operations & Compliance:
• Oversee the accurate and timely delivery of multiple client payrolls in line with SLAs and compliance obligations.
• Ensure adherence to all statutory requirements.
• Manage, and payroll reporting, while serving as the escalation point for complex payroll matters.
• Manage own portfolio of clients.
• Stakeholder & Relationship Management:
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with external clients, acting as a senior point of contact and advisor.
• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, including Local Offices, Partners, HR, IT ensuring payroll operations align with business priorities.
• Proactively address client and internal stakeholder needs, ensuring seamless service delivery and high satisfaction levels.
• Strategy, Projects & Continuous Improvement:
• Contribute to the strategic development of the payroll offering, supporting business growth and service innovation.
• Champion automation, technology adoption, and process improvements that enhance efficiency and quality.
• Lead and participate in cross functional projects, including payroll system implementations and compliance driven initiatives.
• Monitor and report on operational KPIs, driving continuous improvement in service delivery.
• Financial & Commercial Management:
• Support budgeting, resource planning, and cost management within the payroll function.
• Contribute to client proposals, pricing models, and business development opportunities.

You will have:

• 8–10 years payroll experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior management capacity.
• Proven track record in leading projects, including system implementations or process transformations.
• Demonstrated success in managing outsourced payroll services for multiple clients.
• Third-level qualification in Payroll, HR, Finance, or a related discipline is required.
• IPASS qualification is essential.
• Expert knowledge of payroll legislation, compliance, and best practice.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience of managing managers and large teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels internally and externally.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, fostering teamwork across functions and geographies.
• Commercially astute, with a focus on client retention, growth, and service quality.
• Proven ability to deliver on complex projects and drive continuous improvement.
• High integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive data.

Rewards

Our Senior Payroll Manager will receive;

• Market-leading compensation and benefits package.
• Substantial employer pension contribution.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Supportive family orientated workplace policies.
• Blended WFH.
• Opportunities for internal growth and development.
• Access to a bike to work scheme.
• Access to an employee assistance programme.
• Well-being benefits, including the Digital Doctor programme.
• Regular wellness, social, and charity activities throughout the year.
• Voucher at Christmas.

Next Steps

Apply in confidence with full CV quoting reference: SRPayrollManager/Kilkenny: [e-mail]

Tel. [phone].