Payroll Team Leader


Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Salary:	£54,000 - £58,000
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	City of London, SE1 0LL
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	28 Jul 2026
Closing date:	26 Aug 2026

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Summary

Payroll Team Leader

Location: London with hybrid working

Reports to: Payroll Manager

Direct Reports: 4 Payroll & Pension Officers

Permanent Post

An excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional to lead the delivery of a high-quality payroll service for a London local authority

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, you will oversee a team of Payroll & Pensions Officers, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, compliantly, and on time for council and school employees.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and supervise the Payroll Team, managing workload, performance, training, and development.

Ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll in line with payroll legislation, Council policies, and service standards on a high volume basis

Provide expert advice on PAYE, Tax, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments, RTI, and payroll compliance.

Maintain compliance with LGPS, Teachers' Pensions (TPS), NHS Pension Scheme, Auto Enrolment, and HMRC requirements.

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external clients to deliver an excellent payroll service.

Produce KPI reports, management information, payroll reconciliations, and audit returns.

Support service improvement initiatives, payroll digitisation, and transformation projects.

Deputise to the Payroll Manager when required.

Implement pay awards, validate back pay calculations, and oversee quality assurance processes.

Essential experience required for the role;

Extensive payroll experience with in-depth knowledge of PAYE, Tax, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments, and payroll legislation.

Strong payroll systems knowledge, ideally within a local government or public sector environment.

Experience leading, motivating, and developing payroll teams.

Proven ability to provide payroll advice and guidance to managers, employees, and stakeholders.

Experience delivering payroll services within tight deadlines and complex operational environments.

Strong stakeholder management and customer service skills.

Knowledge of Local Government pay and conditions.

Understanding of LGPS, TPS, NHSPS, Auto Enrolment, and payroll compliance requirements.

If you have all of the above, and seeking a new challenge, then please apply now

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