Payroll Implementation Manager

Job Title

Payroll Implementation Manager

Location

Manchester

Salary

£55,000 - £65,000

A leading professional services organisation is looking to appoint an experienced Payroll Implementation Manager to join its growing Payroll Operate team.

This is a client-facing role focused on delivering complex payroll implementations for major UK organisations. You'll take ownership of the implementation journey from initial planning through to go-live and handover, working closely with clients, payroll specialists and wider delivery teams.

It's an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who combines strong technical UK payroll knowledge with proven project management and implementation experience.

What you will be doing as a Payroll Implementation Manager

• Lead end-to-end payroll implementation projects for new clients, ensuring delivery to agreed timelines, quality standards and budgets
• Work closely with clients to understand their payroll requirements and develop clear, effective implementation plans
• Coordinate data migration, parallel runs and first live payroll activity to ensure a successful go-live
• Manage project risks, dependencies and stakeholder communications, proactively identifying and resolving issues
• Work closely with operational payroll teams to ensure a smooth transition from implementation into business-as-usual service
• Provide advice around payroll-related financial reporting requirements, including general ledger reporting where required
• Prepare accurate fee estimates and budget information as part of project planning and commercial management
• Build strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders throughout the implementation lifecycle
• Support and develop junior members of the team, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing environment

What you will need to succeed as a Payroll Implementation Manager

• At least 5 years' hands-on UK payroll experience, with strong knowledge of end-to-end payroll operations
• Proven experience leading or managing payroll implementation projects
• Experience working within a high-volume or complex payroll environment
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, compliance and regulatory requirements
• A good understanding of the upstream and downstream processes that impact payroll delivery
• Knowledge of key UK payroll requirements including Auto Enrolment, RTI and Apprenticeship Levy
• Experience using iTrent
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, priorities and deadlines
• Excellent client-facing and stakeholder management skills
• The ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly to non-specialist audiences
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to take ownership of projects
• Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability

Why join this firm?

This is an opportunity to join a high-performing payroll team working with major UK clients and complex implementation projects.

You'll gain exposure to challenging and varied projects, develop your technical and project leadership skills and have genuine scope to build your profile and progress your career within a growing specialist function.

You'll also benefit from a flexible working environment, a collaborative team culture and strong opportunities for professional development.

• Competitive salary depending on experience
• Hybrid working
• Clear progression and growth in the team
• Team leadership and development responsibility
• Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership
• A role with genuine scope to influence the continued growth of the team

What next?

The client is keen to start interviewing NOW! So, if you are interested, please apply ASAP!

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