Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)

Part or full time with flexible hours available

Southampton

Venture Recruitment Partners are partnering with a successful international financial services organisation to recruit an experienced Payroll Manager for a 12-month fixed-term contract.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an established payroll professional to take ownership of multi-jurisdiction payroll operations across several European locations. The role will focus on payroll governance, compliance, process improvement, and team leadership, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services to a growing international workforce.

The position offers flexibility in working pattern, with a minimum commitment of 23 hours per week.

The Role

As Payroll Manager, you will lead the payroll function across multiple European jurisdictions, managing relationships with payroll providers, overseeing compliance requirements, supporting payroll team development, and driving operational excellence.

This role would suit someone with strong technical payroll expertise who enjoys leading teams, improving processes, and ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Lead the monthly payroll process across multiple European locations, ensuring payrolls are delivered accurately and on time.
• Act as the final reviewer and approver for payroll submissions, reports, adjustments and off-cycle payments.
• Manage payroll deadlines and coordinate activities with internal stakeholders and external payroll providers.
• Provide guidance and support on complex payroll queries and escalations.
• Ensure compliance with local legislation, statutory changes, minimum wage regulations and payroll-related legal requirements.
• Oversee payroll audits and ensure accurate payroll records are maintained.
• Monitor service delivery standards and identify opportunities to enhance payroll efficiency and accuracy.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop 2 payroll team members.
• Promote knowledge sharing across jurisdictions to strengthen team capability and minimise key-person dependency.
• Support workload planning and ensure continuity of service during periods of absence.

Payroll Governance & Projects

• Stay abreast of legislative and regulatory developments impacting payroll.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across payroll processes, systems and controls.
• Support compensation benchmarking, salary data analysis and payroll-related reporting requirements.
• Produce payroll metrics and reports for senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to wider business and operational projects where payroll expertise is required.

About You

We are looking for a confident payroll professional with strong technical knowledge and experience managing complex payroll operations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven payroll management experience within a complex, multi-site or multi-country environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, compliance and governance.
• Experience managing third-party payroll providers and stakeholder relationships.
• Previous experience leading, coaching and developing payroll team members.
• Excellent attention to detail and analytical capability.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience within financial services, professional services or another regulated environment would be advantageous.

What's on Offer

• Hybrid working arrangement.
• Flexible hours available.
• Opportunity to lead a European payroll function.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please apply today.

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