Position: Payroll Manager Reporting to: HR Director Location: Central Office Overview: We are in search of a skilled Payroll Manager to oversee and manage all payroll operations, ensuring precision, compliance, and efficiency. This role involves leading a team responsible for payroll calculations, disbursements, and reconciliations, while ensuring compliance with payroll and pension regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and current knowledge of payroll legislation and best practices. Key Responsibilities: Manage the complete payroll process for approximately 1,800 employees, including data entry, calculations, and wage disbursement. Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing, including regular pay, overtime, bonuses, and other compensation elements. Prepare and submit payroll tax returns to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Address payroll-related inquiries from regulatory bodies and resolve compliance issues. Lead, mentor, and support the payroll team, providing guidance and promoting professional growth. Distribute workload, set priorities, and ensure deadlines are met. Conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members. Administer benefits schemes, including pensions, salary sacrifice programs, childcare, technology, and cycle-to-work schemes. Produce the annual Gender Pay Report in accordance with regulatory requirements. Evaluate current payroll systems, processes, and procedures, identifying areas for improvement. Lead the planning and implementation of a new payroll system to enhance efficiency and compliance. Assist the HR team with various tasks as needed. Skills and Qualifications: Familiarity with various payroll systems. CIPP qualified (or working towards a recognised payroll qualification) with extensive payroll experience. Strong understanding of payroll regulations, PAYE procedures, and tax compliance. Proficiency in payroll software for data management, transaction processing, and reporting. Experience with Advanced (Mitrefinch) Payroll Software is a plus. Excellent numerical skills with a keen eye for detail to ensure payroll accuracy. Strong organisational skills to maintain accurate payroll records for auditing and reporting purposes. Effective communication skills to address payroll queries and provide clear guidance. Analytical mindset with the ability to proactively identify and resolve payroll discrepancies. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including experience with pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions. A customer-focused approach to providing exceptional payroll support to employees.