Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager | Southampton | Hybrid Working | £65,000–£72,000 + Excellent Benefits Are you an experienced Payroll Manager looking for an opportunity to lead a complex payroll function while driving meaningful change? We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established organisation based in Southampton that is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations for a large and diverse workforce. This is far more than a traditional payroll position – it's an opportunity to lead, influence and improve an evolving payroll function. Working closely with Finance, HR and senior stakeholders, you'll ensure payroll is delivered accurately and compliantly while leading process improvements, strengthening financial controls and driving system enhancements. The Opportunity As Payroll Manager, you'll take ownership of multiple payrolls, leading a dedicated team to ensure all payroll activity is completed accurately, efficiently and in line with UK legislation. Alongside overseeing day-to-day payroll operations, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of the function, identifying opportunities to improve processes, implement automation and deliver best practice across payroll and benefits administration. Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations • Lead and develop the payroll team, ensuring a high-performing and collaborative environment. • Oversee multiple payrolls for a large employee population, ensuring timely and accurate processing. • Review and approve payroll calculations, including salaries, bonuses, benefits, statutory payments and deductions. • Ensure all payments to employees, HMRC, pension providers and third parties are processed accurately and on time. • Act as the subject matter expert for payroll-related queries across the business. Financial Control & Compliance • Manage payroll reconciliations and payroll accounting activities. • Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, employment taxes, pensions and statutory requirements. • Lead payroll audit activity, preparing supporting documentation and acting as the key contact for internal and external auditors. • Monitor legislative changes, assessing business impact and implementing necessary updates. • Maintain robust payroll controls and governance across the function. Continuous Improvement • Review and enhance payroll processes, systems and controls. • Lead payroll transformation initiatives, including the implementation of future legislative changes affecting payroll and benefits. • Drive the use of automation and technology to improve efficiency and reduce manual processes. • Develop reporting capabilities to provide greater business insight and support informed decision-making. Stakeholder Management • Build strong relationships with Finance, HR and operational teams. • Provide payroll guidance and support to managers across the business. • Produce payroll reporting and analysis to support financial planning and operational decision-making. • Support wider finance and business improvement projects where appropriate. About You We're looking for an experienced payroll professional with excellent technical knowledge, strong leadership skills and a passion for improving processes. You'll ideally have: • CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll certification. • Significant experience managing payroll within a large, complex organisation. • Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll legislation, employment taxes and payroll compliance. • Experience leading payroll audits and maintaining strong financial controls. • Advanced Excel skills and excellent reconciliation experience. • Experience using payroll systems such as Workday, ADP or similar. • Proven people management experience with the ability to coach and develop a team. • Excellent communication skills with the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels. • A proactive approach to continuous improvement, systems development and operational excellence. What's on Offer? • Salary of £65,000–£72,000, depending on experience. • Hybrid working. • Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays. • Enhanced pension scheme. • Health and wellbeing benefits. • Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities. • Free onsite parking. • Employee discount scheme. • A supportive, collaborative culture with genuine opportunities to influence the future direction of the payroll function. If you're looking for a role where you can combine technical payroll expertise with leadership and transformation, we'd love to hear from you. Talent Finance is committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We review all applications on merit and welcome candidates from all backgrounds.