Payroll Manager / Payroll Lead
Salary: £37,692.20 - £46,049 DOE
Hours: 35 hours per week
Hybrid: 3 days office / 2 days home
Contract: Initial 3 months, with potential to extend
Flexible start and finish times available

Are you an experienced payroll professional looking for your next opportunity within a large, complex organisation?

We’re looking for a knowledgeable and people-focused Payroll Manager / Payroll Lead to oversee day-to-day payroll operations across UK and international payrolls. You’ll play a key role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while supporting, coaching and developing the wider payroll team.

What you’ll be doing
Overseeing accurate and timely payroll processing
Managing statutory returns, reconciliations and year-end processes
Acting as an escalation point for complex payroll queries
Ensuring compliance with UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements
Supporting international payroll compliance
Producing payroll reports, management information and KPIs
Supporting payroll audits, system testing and process improvements
Coaching and developing payroll colleagues
Working closely with HR, Finance, IT, People Operations and external payroll providers
Identifying opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, accuracy and employee experience
What we’re looking for
Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance and HMRC requirements
Experience working within a busy, complex or high-volume payroll environment
Experience managing or coordinating day-to-day payroll operations
Confidence resolving complex payroll issues
Strong knowledge of statutory payments and auto-enrolment pensions
Payroll reconciliation, reporting and statutory returns experience
Leadership, coaching or team development experience
Strong attention to detail and ability to work to strict deadlines
Experience with payroll systems such as Oracle would be beneficial
Exposure to international payroll would be an advantage
CIPP membership or equivalent payroll knowledge gained through experience.

Why apply?

You'll join a collaborative People team where payroll is recognised as a vital part of the employee experience. Alongside a 35-hour working week, you'll benefit from hybrid working, flexibility around office days and start/finish times, plus the possibility of the initial three-month assignment being extended.

Apply today for immediate consideration.




This vacancy is being handled by Aspire Recruitment. Please be aware we receive a high volume of applications and regularly receive applications from candidates who exceed the job credentials. We will only contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview. Aspire Recruitment is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Should you apply for this role, we will process your data as detailed in our Privacy Policy which can be found on our website and by applying for this opportunity I agree that Aspire Recruitment will keep me informed about potential employment opportunities regularly and that I can choose to opt out of receiving information at any time.