Payroll implementation manager


Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Salary:	£55,000 to £65,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Manchester, M1 4BT
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 3 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	10 Sept 2026
Closing date:	10 Oct 2026

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Summary

The company

Are you a confident payroll professional who thrives in fast‑paced, client‑focused environments? We're partnering with a leading organisation undergoing significant growth in their payroll operations, and we're looking for an experienced Payroll Implementation Manager to lead end‑to‑end onboarding projects for new clients.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of complex implementations, work closely with senior stakeholders, and play a visible role in shaping high‑quality payroll delivery.

What you'll be doing

Leading end‑to‑end implementations - managing timelines, quality and budgets across multiple onboarding projects.

Partnering with clients - understanding requirements, shaping plans and providing clear guidance throughout the transition.

Coordinating data migration & parallel runs - ensuring a seamless move into the first live payroll.

Managing risks & dependencies - keeping delivery on track through proactive issue resolution.

Supporting BAU handover - ensuring service teams receive a clean, well‑documented transition.

Contributing to financial reporting - advising on payroll‑related GL outputs where required.

Developing junior team members - helping build a collaborative, high‑performing culture.

What you'll bring

5+ years of hands‑on UK payroll experience, with strong end‑to‑end operational knowledge.

Proven experience leading payroll implementations in complex or high‑volume environments.

Strong understanding of UK payroll compliance - AE, RTI, Apprenticeship Levy.

Confident project leadership with the ability to manage multiple work streams.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex payroll concepts clearly.

Experience using i-Trent.

CIPP qualification (advantageous).

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV or call us now on 01612367272.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

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