Payroll Manager

Job Description

Company Introduction

Our client is a leading professional services firm.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Oversee and manage the full payroll cycle for multiple clients across diverse industries and company sizes, including multi-state or multi-country payroll where applicable;
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of all payroll components, including wages, bonuses, commissions, deductions, and tax withholdings;
• Manage timely filing of payroll-related social security contributions, taxes, and year-end submissions (e.g., FS7), ensuring compliance with local regulations;
• Stay up to date with changes in payroll legislation, tax laws, and employment regulations;
• Optimize the use of payroll software and HRIS platforms, overseeing system implementations, upgrades, or migrations for new clients;
• Design and implement robust internal controls, reconciliation processes, and audit procedures to ensure accuracy and data integrity;
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex client payroll inquiries and issues;
• Ensure all team activities meet or exceed client service level agreements and performance targets;
• Oversee smooth onboarding of new payroll clients, ensuring accurate integration of employee data and systems;
• Advise clients on best practices, regulatory updates, and opportunities to enhance payroll efficiency and compliance;
• Support clients with work and residence permit processes as required;
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of payroll specialists and administrators, including performance management, workload allocation, and professional development;
• Develop and deliver ongoing training to maintain team expertise in payroll regulations, systems, and client-specific requirements;
• Participate in recruiting, hiring, and retaining high-performing payroll professionals;
• Prepare and deliver tailored payroll and general ledger reports for clients and internal finance teams;
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction;
• Keep abreast of developments in employment law, taxation, social security, and payroll regulations to ensure ongoing compliance;
• Monitor industry trends, technological advancements, and best practices in payroll and HR systems to improve processes;
• Participate in professional training, conferences, and continuous learning initiatives relevant to payroll, leadership, and data protection;
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the payroll team to maintain technical competence and regulatory awareness;
• Promote continuous improvement and implement new practices and lessons learned across the team to enhance service delivery.

Experience

• Degree or professional qualification in HR, Payroll, or a related field;
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 2–3 years in a leadership or supervisory role;
• Proven experience managing multi-client payroll operations or outsourced payroll services;
• Strong technical knowledge of payroll legislation, social security, taxation, and employment regulations;
• Proficient with payroll and HRIS systems, with experience in system implementations or migrations considered an advantage;
• Demonstrated expertise in process improvement, workflow optimisation, and quality assurance within payroll operations;
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Personal Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy;
• Strong leadership and team management abilities;
• Excellent client-facing communication and relationship-building skills;
• Highly organised with strong time management, able to handle multiple client deadlines effectively;
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of addressing complex payroll discrepancies and regulatory matters.