Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager
This is a chance to own a high-profile payroll project from start to finish, with a clear goal and a fixed finish line. You will lead the rollout of payrolling benefits in kind (PBIK) ahead of the April 2027 HMRC deadline, while the business moves to a new SAP HR and payroll platform. Better still, the working pattern is genuinely flexible: the norm is 2 to 3 days a week in the office, but if 1 day is what works for you, they still want to talk.
You will be a payroll professional who knows PBIK and has worked with SAP payroll. You do not need to have run a big team, but you do need to be comfortable taking the lead and keeping Payroll, Finance, HR and IT pointed in the same direction. If you like structure, deadlines and seeing something through to go-live, this will suit you down to the ground.
What You Will Be Doing

• Leading the PBIK implementation from start to finish, making sure it goes in correctly and on time for HMRC's April 2027 deadline
• Being the go-to expert on payroll, benefits in kind and HMRC requirements for the whole project
• Getting into the detail with Payroll, Reward, Finance and HR to gather, document and sign off exactly what the new process needs to do
• Working hand in hand with IT and external partners through design, configuration and build in SAP
• Leading user acceptance testing, chasing down defects and getting everything over the line to sign-off
• Keeping the project on track with clear governance reporting, a well-kept RAID log and regular stakeholder updates
• Spotting risks early and dealing with them before they turn into problems
• Overseeing two Payroll Administrators supporting the project, keeping their work focused on delivery
• Making sure payroll is ready for the wider move to a new SAP HR and payroll platform and a new time and attendance system
• Looking for ways to improve payroll processes as part of the change

What We Need From You

• Someone who knows PBIK. You understand how benefits in kind work through payroll and what HMRC expects, so you can get going from day one.
• Hands-on experience with SAP payroll. You know your way around the system and can talk confidently with IT and external partners about what needs to happen.
• Solid UK payroll experience behind you, with a good grasp of payroll legislation and compliance.
• Ideally, someone who has been through a system change, legislation change or payroll project before and knows what good testing and sign-off looks like.
• A confident communicator who can hold their own with Payroll, Finance, HR and IT, and keep everyone updated without drowning them in detail.
• Organised and calm under pressure. There is a fixed HMRC deadline here, so keeping the plan on track genuinely matters.
• Comfortable guiding the work of two administrators, without it needing to be a big people-management role.
• Available immediately or on a short notice period, as this project needs someone in seat straight away.

What's in it for you

• Up to £45k on a 6 month contract
• Properly flexible hybrid working. Around 2 to 3 days a week in the office is the norm, but this is a business that cares more about getting the right person than counting desk days, so if you can only do 1, still apply
• The chance to lead a high-profile payroll project from start to finish
• Hands-on experience of a major SAP payroll system change, which is great for your CV
• A quick, single-stage interview process via Teams
• An immediate start, so you can get stuck in straight away

If you know your way around PBIK and SAP and like the sound of leading a project like this, apply today, even if a full office week has never been your thing.

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