Payroll Manager
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Job Location:
Manchester - UK
Monthly Salary:
£ 47000 - 53000
Posted on:
3 days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
At AQA were committed to advancing education and were committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and its our people who make this happen.
Job title: Payroll Manager
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Manchester
Salary: 47000 - 53000
Working arrangements: Hybrid 2 days in office (Mon/Tue preferred flexible)
Do you want to lead a team that thrives on collaboration and continuous improvement Are you ready to take your payroll expertise to the next level
Youll join AQA as a Payroll Manager and make a real impact. Payroll is at the heart of our finance operations and in this role youll lead a skilled team ensure compliance with UK legislation and drive accuracy and efficiency across all payroll processes. Youll have the autonomy to innovate streamline systems and processes and introduce best practices that shape the future of our payroll operations.
Purpose of the role
Youll play a critical role in ensuring AQA meets all statutory and regulatory payroll requirements across a highly complex payroll environment. With responsibility for 1400 monthly salaried staff and an associate workforce of 40000 youll safeguard compliance accuracy and efficiency while driving strategic improvements and system enhancements.
Youll also oversee payroll governance year-end processes and KPI reporting acting as the subject matter expert on all HMRC-related matters. By collaborating with HR Finance and Enterprise Technology teams youll influence decisions and lead projects that shape the future of payroll operations.
In this role youll be responsible for:
- Leading and developing a team of 4 Payroll Administrators (soon to be 5)
- Managing payroll for salaried staff weekly temps and Associates
- Driving system improvements (iTrent now Workday in future) and process optimisation
- Overseeing payroll governance year-end processes and KPI reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Acting as the subject matter expert on all HMRC-related matters advising stakeholders on policy and procedural changes
- Collaborating with HR Finance and Enterprise Technology teams to deliver system enhancements and lead cross-department projects
Youll thrive in this role if you have:
- A recognised payroll qualification (CIPP or equivalent). If you dont currently hold this and are qualified by experience we will support you to achieve this in-house.
- Proven leadership experience in high-volume payroll environments
- Expertise in seasonal payroll and complex structures
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- Experience with payroll systems such as iTrent and Workday
Whats in it for you:
- Autonomy to innovate and influence payroll strategy
- Exposure to strategic projects and acquisitions
- Opportunities to lead system transformation
- A supportive collaborative team environment
- Career growth within a respected organisation once you commit to us we commit back
You will also benefit from:
- Flexible working a 35-hour week and 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and Christmas closure)
- A generous pension scheme with up to 11.5% employer contributions
- Private medical insurance health cash plan EV leasing volunteering days and modern offices with gym
Diversity and Inclusion statement
At AQA we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyoneregardless of religion ethnicity gender identity or expression age disability sexual orientation or backgroundis valued respected and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language avoid stereotypes and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Application process
To apply please submit your CV and cover letter by Wednesday 21 January. As part of your application youll also complete a short questionnaire to help us understand your experience and approach. Interviews will include two stages:
- Stage 1: Week commencing 9 February (via Teams)
- Stage 2: Week commencing 26 February (face-to-face in Manchester with a work sample task)
Onboarding will follow shortly after offer acceptance.
Reference code: #PRO22
Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Full Job Description
Summary
To lead a high performing Payroll team ensuring the right processes are in place and continuing to embed system and process improvements. Build a strong outward facing relationship with key stakeholders and drive a continuous improvement culture within the Payroll function.Effectively develop the skills of the existing team to ensure all statutory and regulatory payroll requirements are met for all monthly and weekly payroll production activities within AQA. Compliant service levels are delivered in line with department Key Performance Indicators and delivered with a high level customer service is a full-time position based at our Manchester office. The role involves leading a team of four Payroll Administrators while acting as AQAs subject matter expert on all payroll-related matters. You will work closely with key stakeholders in HR and Finance as well as collaborate with the wider business to ensure accurate and efficient payroll operations. Our payrolls consist of a 1400 salaried staff paid monthly up to 800 weekly paid temp staff and up to 40000 Associates paid on a self-employed basis via our payroll.
Drive team development through active management of performance delivery engagement on-going training coaching and development and timely management of underperformance.
Create effective and robust governance of all payroll activity ensuring effective control frameworks and process documentation are in place and regularly reviewed for the Payroll department.
Lead the all year end payroll processes and reporting. Ensure the reporting suite is fit for purpose and adapts to the changes in the business.
Lead the team to deliver payroll system changes and and enhancements to support the direction of the business. Where external contractors are used then manage their deliverables. Working alongside Enterprise Technology team manage the relationship with our payroll support provider.
Undertake timely production of KPI Dashboard for Payroll with Root Cause Analysis to drive Right First Time performance and any reporting required to provide Payroll visibility and analysis.
Deliver efficient and effective workload management to ensure that established service levels and departmental KPIs are achieved.
Effectively and proactively manage all internal customer requirements and expectations using appropriate communication channels anticipating queries and issues and escalate where appropriate.
Work collaboratively with other colleagues within the rest of Finance and the wider Corporate Services function to deliver an excellent customer experience.
Enhance and improve current practices identify potential service improvements and work with other areas of AQA to drive and deliver those improvements.
Become the subject matter expert and keep abreast of government legislation relating to PAYE NIC and pensions; actively advising key stakeholders on any aspect of payroll including areas where policy or procedural changes may be necessary.
Work with both the Employee Payroll and Associate Payments teams to identify and address any training gaps related to payroll.
Essential Criteria:
Experience working with various computer payroll packages i.e. i-Trent / Workday
Experience of supporting the successful delivery of business change
Experience of leading a successful payroll team through organic changes
Experience of leading large high transactional Payroll environments for Fixed Term contract employees
Experience of identifying and leading multiple cross-department projects
Able to identify and implement initiatives to continually improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department and service offering.
Strong performance management skills able to coach and develop talent and motivate and engage teams to deliver.
Able to take initiative and proactively lead projects influencing business leaders using expertise and well-developed communication skills.
Able to set report and lead a team to achieve agreed SLA and KPIs.
Ability to clearly performance manage staff in a Finance environment.
Desirable Criteria:
Experience of Working in a Performance and Talent approach environment
Collaborative worker with a flexible approach able to adapt easily to change.
Implements and embeds effective change.
Ability to contribute to the development and delivery of departmental policy and objectives.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve problems.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to lead by example to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders.
Ability to communicate the vision team goals and provide clear direction to achieve organisational objectives.
Behaviours
Communication
Flexibility
Customer focused
Personal contribution
Continuous excellence
Required Experience:
Manager
Key Skills
- Dayforce
- Paychex
- Payroll Management
- Ceridian
- Paylocity
- SOX
- Payroll
- ADP
- Kronos
- Human Resources
- JD Edwards
- Workday
About Company
AQA provides qualifications that enable students to progress to the next stage in their lives. We also support teachers to develop their professional skills.
