Payroll Manager

About the role

We are supporting a well‑established property business in Guildford that needs an experienced Payroll Manager to own the end‑to‑end payroll function for a workforce of over 1,000 employees across multiple legal entities. The role reports to the leadership team, works closely with Finance, HR and external providers, and offers a hybrid working model (three days on‑site).

Key responsibilities

• Lead the monthly payroll cycle from data collection to final payment for more than 1,000 staff across several entities.
• Validate salary changes, overtime, bonuses, expenses, benefits, pensions and statutory deductions.
• Ensure payroll compliance with HMRC legislation, pension regulations and internal controls.
• Reconcile payroll journals, control accounts and statutory payments as part of month‑end reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance on payroll journals, reconciliations and reporting requirements.
• Investigate and resolve complex payroll queries and employee issues.
• Review and approve employee expenses in line with company policy.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation initiatives and system enhancements.
• Coach and support a Payroll & Benefits Administrator, providing guidance and quality assurance.

Required profile

• Proven experience managing end‑to‑end payroll in a medium to large organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, pensions and statutory payments.
• Excellent reconciliation skills and experience with payroll journals and month‑end processes.
• Highly organised with the ability to meet strict monthly deadlines.
• Attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information.
• CIPP qualification or equivalent is advantageous.

Required skills

• Advanced Excel (large datasets, Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP).
• Experience with payroll and finance systems such as SAP Concur or Opera.
• Familiarity with payroll processing software.

What we offer

• Autonomy to improve payroll processes and controls.
• Opportunity to support future system development and automation.
• Key role interfacing between Finance and HR.
• Competitive salary £45‑55k plus benefits.