Senior Payroll Manager: Lead 1,200+ Employees (IRL)

Ascension Executive Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascension Executive Recruitment is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll for approximately 1,200 employees across weekly and monthly cycles in Ireland. You will manage a team of three payroll professionals, ensuring accurate, on-time payments while maintaining compliance with Irish payroll legislation and Revenue requirements.

You will collaborate with HR and Finance, reconcile to the general ledger, and drive process improvements while handling complex payroll queries and

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in payroll.
• Strong experience managing Irish payroll.
• Proven experience processing both weekly and monthly payrolls.
• Experience managing payroll for 1,000+ employees or a similarly complex payroll environment.
• Previous experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
• Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
• Excellent attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work to tight and immovable payroll deadlines.
• High level of confidentiality and integrity.
• Payroll qualification such as IPASS / Payroll Technician qualification.
• Experience in a multi-site or operational environment.
• Experience with high-volume payroll.
• Experience implementing or upgrading payroll systems.
• Experience with payroll/HR system integrations.
• Experience working with Finance teams and general ledger reconciliations.
• Maintains a consistently high level of accuracy when dealing with sensitive financial and employee information.
• Provides clear direction and support to the payroll team while taking ownership of overall payroll delivery.
• Able to manage competing deadlines across weekly and monthly payroll cycles.
• Investigates discrepancies and complex payroll issues and delivers practical solutions.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with employees, HR, Finance and senior management.
• Handles highly sensitive employee and financial information appropriately.
• Looks for ways to improve payroll processes, controls, systems and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll processing for 1,200 employees.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately and on time.
• Review and approve payroll calculations before payment.
• Manage inputs including salary uploads, approvals and changes.
• Maintain payroll controls and reconciliation processes.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly.
• Handle complex payroll queries including leaver, pensions, benefits and cross-border matters.
• Coordinate payroll payments with Finance and banking providers.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and documentation.
• Lead, support and develop a team of three Payroll Co-Ordinators.
• Ensure compliance with Irish payroll legislation and Revenue requirements.
• Reconcile payrolls to the general ledger and Finance records.
• Work with HR to ensure payroll records are accurate and aligned.
• Provide expert payroll advice to HR, Finance, management and senior leaders.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls and efficiency.

Skills

Payroll management

Irish payroll

Team leadership

HRIS systems experience

Attention to detail

Time management

Confidentiality

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

IPASS Payroll qualification

Job description

Ascension Executive Recruitment is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll for approximately 1,200 employees across weekly and monthly cycles in Ireland. You will manage a team of three payroll professionals, ensuring accurate, on-time payments while maintaining compliance with Irish payroll legislation and Revenue requirements.

You will collaborate with HR and Finance, reconcile to the general ledger, and drive process improvements while handling complex payroll queries and