Payroll Senior Manager - Cork (Tax)

Senior Manager – Irish Payroll Operations & Implementations

Location: Cork, Ireland
Business Area: Tax & Law
Contract Type: Full-Time – Permanent

Job Purpose

The Senior Manager – Irish Payroll Operations & Implementations will be responsible for leading end-to-end payroll delivery for Ireland, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing in line with Revenue requirements and employment legislation. The role oversees payroll teams, governance, technology, vendor relationships, and continuous improvement initiatives, while acting as a key advisor to senior leadership. The role will also focus on implementation and transition of new payroll clients to EY.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end payroll process for Irish employees, ensuring accurate and timely processing (weekly, fortnightly, monthly as applicable).


• Implement and Transition new clients to EY payroll operate and project management.


• Ensure full compliance with Irish Revenue PAYE Modernisation, PRSI, USC, and statutory reporting requirements.


• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Irish payroll legislation and ensure changes are implemented effectively.


• Oversee payroll audits (internal and external) and manage compliance reviews.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals, fostering a high-performance and continuous improvement culture.


• Set clear objectives, KPIs, and performance standards for the team.


• Manage staffing, succession planning, and capability development.

• Maintain strong payroll controls and governance frameworks.


• Ensure accurate reconciliations (e.g., payroll to GL, statutory liabilities).


• Mitigate payroll risks and ensure appropriate escalation and resolution processes are in place.

• Lead payroll system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations


• Drive automation and standardisation initiatives to improve efficiency and accuracy.

• Manage relationships with payroll providers and regulatory bodies.


• Monitor vendor SLAs and ensure service delivery meets contractual obligations.

• Provide payroll metrics, dashboards, and insights to senior leadership.


• Support financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting activities related to payroll.

• Scoping of new opportunities, developing proposals and participating in oral presentations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience (6+ years) in Irish payroll, including leadership experience.


• IPASS qualification (Irish Payroll Association) or equivalent.


• In-depth knowledge of Irish payroll legislation (PAYE Modernisation, PRSI, USC, BIK, pensions).


• Proven experience managing payroll operations in a corporate or shared services environment.


• Proven experience in implementing and transitioning new clients and overseeing the project from start to finish


• Strong understanding of technology, payroll systems and integrations.


• Strong project management experience and skills.

• Strong analytical skills, interpersonal, and written/verbal communication skills; problem-solving ability and attention to detail

• Excellent client service skills and communication skills.

• Excellent team management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and coach a team of payroll professionals.


• Fluent written and spoken English.

• Some experience with global payroll environments or multi-country oversight would also be beneficial.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and decision-making


• Leadership and team development


• Attention to detail and risk awareness


• Change and transformation management


• Communication and client service skills


• Problem-solving and analytical capability

• Technology and systems expertise

About EY

As a global leader in Assurance, Tax, Transaction and Advisory Services, we’re using the finance products, expertise, and systems we’ve developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities, and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime.

What working at EY offers 

We offer a competitive remuneration package. Our comprehensive benefits package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs: covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions.

 Plus, we offer:

• Support and coaching from some of the most engaging colleagues around.


• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career.


• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you.

All our employees are given a benefits package which they can tailor to suit their individual preferences. Our range of benefits include:

• Hybrid Working


• Pension/Discounted Health Insurance


• Web Doctor


• Purchase of Additional Annual Leave


• Free Gym Membership


• Travel Pass


• Maternity & Paternity Leave


• Bike to Work Scheme


• Referral Bonuses & Recognition Awards


• Tech MBA paid by EY

EY is committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We strive to achieve the right balance for our people, enabling us to deliver excellent client service whilst allowing you to build your career without sacrificing your personal priorities. While our client-facing professionals can be required to travel regularly, and at times be based at client sites, our flexible working arrangements can help you to achieve a lifestyle balance.

Career Progression

• When you join EY, you will be supported to ensure that you are enhancing your skills from day one.


• Continuous learning, where you can develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.


• As you grow and develop here, you’ll discover opportunities to help customise your career journey, so that it’s as unique as you are - success is defined by you, we will provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.


• Transformative leadership, we will give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.


• Diverse and inclusive culture, you will be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.


• We have embraced Hybrid working at EY adding greater flexibility and autonomy to the roles of our employees.

Inclusion & Diversity

We hold a collective commitment to foster an environment where all differences are valued and respected, practices are equitable and everyone experiences a sense of belonging: Inclusion, diversity, and equity are part of who we are at EY. We believe that the highest-performing teams maximize the power of different perspectives and backgrounds. These teams are both diverse and inclusive and are willing to invite and learn from other perspectives. Our ability to include various viewpoints into our mindsets, behaviours and operations is fundamental to driving innovation, building strong relationships, and delivering the best solutions for our clients.

We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and building a culture where we support all our people to achieve their potential. You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are offered at every stage of our recruitment process.

If you can confidently demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.

Join us in building a better working world. That’s Why, EY.

Apply now.

IMPORTANT: Where Agency assistance is required, our Talent Team will engage directly with suppliers. CVs / Profiles should not be shared directly with Hiring Managers. Unsolicited CVs / Profiles supplied to EY by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.