Payroll Manager

About This Role

The Payroll Manager will take ownership of the payroll function for a rapidly growing, multi-site organization undergoing significant transformation. This pivotal leadership role involves driving the development of reporting, analytics, controls, and process improvements, reporting directly to the CFO. It is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious payroll leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to shape the future of a growing business.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and motivate a payroll team, including a Payroll Manager and Payroll Officers
• Ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll across multiple sites and business entities
• Take ownership of payroll compliance, statutory requirements, pensions, and year-end processes
• Develop meaningful payroll and workforce reporting to support business decision-making
• Produce analysis on payroll costs, headcount, overtime, absence, and other workforce metrics
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, automation, and process optimisation
• Support wider business transformation and integration projects
• Work closely with Finance, HR, and operational stakeholders to improve data quality and reporting accuracy
• Establish robust controls, governance, and best practice throughout the payroll function
• Act as the senior payroll subject matter expert across the organisation

Requirements

• Proven experience leading a payroll function within a complex, multi-site organisation
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, pensions, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrable experience managing and developing teams
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to turn data into meaningful insights
• Previous involvement in process improvement, systems implementation, or transformation projects
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence at senior level
• Commercially minded, proactive, and adaptable approach

Nice to have:

• Experience within a care, healthcare, hospitality, retail, or similar multi-site environment

Benefits

• Newly created leadership role with significant scope to shape the function
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making
• Opportunity to drive change within a growing and evolving organisation
• Long-term career development prospects
• Hybrid working environment
• Benefits package

About the Company

CMA Recruitment Group is supporting a confidential, rapidly growing organisation with this appointment.