Reed Accountancy & Finance are supporting a well‑established UK organisation in the search for an experienced Payroll Manager to join their Finance function on a 6‑month temporary contract.
The Role:
The Payroll Manager will take full responsibility for the accurate and timely delivery of monthly payroll and pension activities across multiple UK rail subsidiaries. The position is hands‑on and requires strong technical payroll and pensions knowledge, alongside the ability to manage an outsourced payroll provider (ADP) and liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
End‑to‑end management and validation of monthly payroll for 1,000+ employees across multiple sites and contract types
Day‑to‑day management of the outsourced payroll provider, ensuring accuracy, compliance and service levels
Processing and reconciliation of payroll data, working closely with HR to validate all payroll inputs
Full responsibility for the company pension scheme, including auto‑enrolment and regulatory compliance
Liaison with pension trustees, actuaries and third‑party providers
Production and maintenance of payroll reporting, including overtime and payroll reconciliations
Monitoring and implementing payroll, pension and legislative changes
Supporting continuous improvement of payroll processes and controls
Skills & Experience Required:
Proven payroll management experience, ideally processing monthly payrolls for 500+ employees across multiple sites
Strong pensions knowledge, including auto‑enrolment
Experience using large‑scale payroll systems (ADP highly desirable) and interfacing with ERP systems
Advanced Excel skills and exceptional attention to detail
Confident communicator with the ability to build strong relationships with internal teams and external providers
Strong problem‑solving skills and sound understanding of HR and payroll compliance
Accounting knowledge would be advantageous but not essential
Qualifications:
Degree qualified or equivalent practical experience
CIPP qualification (or working towards) is advantageous
What’s on Offer:
6‑month temporary cover
Competitive salary, dependent on experience
Hybrid working arrangement
Opportunity to step into a senior, high‑impact payroll role within a complex organisation
Exposure to specialist pension and stakeholder management activity