Temporary Payroll Manager

Brightwater Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 56,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightwater Recruitment in Dublin is seeking an experienced Temporary Payroll Manager to take ownership of a multi-stream payroll function during a 4–6 month transition period. You will oversee day-to-day operations across weekly, monthly, pensioner and associate payrolls, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

You will lead process review, SOP development, and controls improvement, while supporting the payroll provider procurement and future delivery arrangements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing end-to-end payroll operations.
• Proven track record across multiple payroll frequencies, especially weekly and monthly.
• Experience reviewing and improving payroll processes and controls.
• Experience developing and implementing SOPs and process documentation.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, reconciliations, governance and best practice.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with MegaPay, Intelligo or SD Worx advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll function across weekly, monthly, pensioners and associates payrolls.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately and in line with legislation and policies.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, controls, and discrepancy resolution.
• Manage payroll queries and escalations from employees and management.
• Ensure deductions and statutory obligations are met and deadlines are achieved.
• Develop SOPs and documentation; support future payroll delivery arrangements.

Skills

End-to-end payroll management

Multiple payroll frequencies

SOP development

Governance & controls

Stakeholder management

Payroll compliance

Payroll system experience

Tools

MegaPay

Intelligo

SD Worx

Job description

We are currently seeking an experienced Temporary Payroll Manager to join a well-established organisation in Dublin on an initial 4–6 month contract.

This is a hands‑on role offering the opportunity to take ownership of a multi-stream payroll function during a period of transition. The successful candidate will oversee day‑to‑day payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing across multiple payroll frequencies, while reviewing existing processes and strengthening operational controls.

A key focus of the role will be the development and implementation of comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), alongside supporting the organisation through a payroll provider procurement process and preparing for future service delivery arrangements.

This opportunity would suit an experienced payroll professional with strong technical expertise, excellent stakeholder management skills and a proven track record in payroll process improvement and governance.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Management & Oversight

• Manage the end-to-end payroll function across weekly, monthly, pensioners and associates payrolls.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately, efficiently and in line with relevant legislation and organisational policies.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations, controls, exception reporting and resolution of discrepancies.
• Manage payroll queries and escalations from employees and management.
• Ensure deductions, including public sector pension contributions, are applied correctly and in accordance with relevant requirements.
• Ensure all payroll deadlines and statutory obligations are consistently met.

Payroll Process Review & Improvement

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing payroll processes, workflows and controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and mitigate operational risk.
• Assess existing governance and compliance arrangements and recommend improvements where required.

SOP Development & Documentation

• Develop and implement clear, comprehensive SOPs covering all key payroll processes.
• Document controls, escalation procedures, timelines and individual responsibilities.
• Create process maps and supporting documentation to facilitate knowledge transfer and ensure business continuity.
• Align procedures with best practice and future payroll operating arrangements.
• Support planning and preparation for the implementation of a new payroll solution or provider.

Experience/Requirements

• Significant experience managing end-to-end payroll operations.
• Proven experience overseeing multiple payroll frequencies, particularly weekly and monthly payrolls.
• Demonstrable experience reviewing and improving payroll processes and controls.
• Experience developing and implementing SOPs and process documentation.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, reconciliations, governance and operational best practice.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with MegaPay, Intelligo or SD Worx would be advantageous.

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Payroll Manager to make an immediate impact in a contract role, taking ownership of payroll operations while driving process improvement, strengthening controls and supporting future payroll arrangements.

If interested in this opportunity, please contact [e-mail] or 353 1 592 7846.

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