Payroll Manager
Southampton - UK
Job Summary
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys building client relationships leading a successful payroll function and supporting a small team. Youll join a friendly and collaborative practice with an outstanding reputation for delivering a first-class service to a varied client base ranging from owner-managed businesses and SMEs to larger corporate organisations.
As Payroll Manager youll take ownership of the firms payroll department ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services while acting as the key point of contact for both clients and the wider team.
The Role
Youll be responsible for managing a varied portfolio of client payrolls while overseeing the day-to-day running of the payroll function. Alongside your technical responsibilities youll provide leadership support and guidance to the payroll team ensuring work is delivered to the highest standards.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the end-to-end delivery of weekly fortnightly four-weekly and monthly payrolls for a diverse client portfolio
- Leading motivating and developing the payroll team providing technical support and reviewing work where required.
- Acting as the primary point of contact for payroll clients building long-term relationships and providing expert advice.
- Ensuring payrolls are processed accurately and in line with current legislation and agreed deadlines.
- Reviewing PAYE National Insurance statutory payments pension contributions and payroll reconciliations.
- Managing Real Time Information (RTI) submissions and ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements.
- Supporting the implementation of new payroll clients and assisting with payroll process improvements.
- Liaising with HMRC pension providers and other third parties to resolve technical queries.
- Maintaining high levels of data accuracy confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes and enhance the overall client experience.
Were looking for an experienced payroll professional who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent people and client management skills.
Youll ideally have:
- Previous experience managing payroll within an accountancy practice or payroll bureau.
- A strong understanding of UK payroll legislation including PAYE National Insurance statutory payments and auto-enrolment.
- Experience supervising or managing a payroll team.
- Knowledge of IRIS Staffology or similar payroll software.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- A proactive approach and a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional client service.
- Strong communication skills and confidence building relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
- 40000 - 47000 depending on experience.
- 25 days holiday bank holidays.
- A genuine opportunity to lead an established payroll function within a respected independent firm.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression.
- Flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
- A friendly supportive culture where collaboration and employee wellbeing are genuinely valued.
- A varied client portfolio and the opportunity to make a real impact within the business.
Required Skills:
Extensive experience in end-to-end payroll processing including statutory calculations RTI and year-end procedures. Experience in managing multiple or complex payrolls. Excellent communication skills for client and statutory authority liaison. Proactive with attention to detail capable of creating and driving processes forward. Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively. Relevant payroll qualifications (e.g. CIPP) preferred but not essential; hands-on experience is valued. Familiarity with payroll software is advantageous; training will be provided.