Associate Manager/Manager, Payroll

We’re Gravita: the accountants fuelling ambitious businesses. We’re a full service, tech-enabled firm, working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help them achieve their goals, and make an impact in the world.

We’re growing fast and are bringing like-minded advisors together to form a full-service tech-enabled accounting partner for thousands of SMEs. Our team use their incredible expertise alongside intuitive technology to help businesses and entrepreneurs plan better and grow faster.

Our mission is to become the UK’s leading tech-enabled accounting firm for SMEs. We have ambitious goals and our high-calibre team work hard to achieve them. We are one team with one agenda, working collaboratively in a respectful environment to deliver a great service to our clients. So if you join us, you’ll not only be working on exciting client challenges, you’ll also be helping us shape the future of accounting.

The Role

Responsible for the management of the relevant allocated Payroll team in order to deliver a first-class payroll service to Gravita clients and stakeholders. To continuously manage and improve upon Associate accuracy and efficiency rates and work closely with both the Head of Payroll and the Associate Payroll Director in order to grow with scale the Gravita payroll function.

Key Responsibilities:

Client / Technical Delivery

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing across various frequencies, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submissions.

• Liaise with HMRC regularly, handling online filings, reconciliations, FPS updates, and end-of-year procedures.

• Handle advanced payroll queries, client onboarding, and full-scale payroll implementations—including mid-year setups and parallel runs.

• Administer pensions and auto enrolment, including scheme setup, sync and PBIK/P11D processing.

• Oversee payroll accuracy checks, BACS approvals, and provide constructive feedback to associates.

• Operate payroll software (e.g. Paycircle) at an advanced level and ensure proper setup and administration of pension schemes.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HMRC legislation and support CPD to drive team awareness and compliance.

• Build strong client relationships, manage complaints effectively, and provide ongoing support and service excellence.

• Support billing processes and debtor follow-ups to maintain healthy cash flow.

• Use advanced spreadsheet functions (including formulas) to support payroll analysis, reporting, and reconciliation.

• Contribute to continuous improvement by supporting any tasks that ensure smooth payroll operations.

People/Team Management

• Manage associate portfolios to maintain consistent service quality and meet agreed service levels.

• Lead team training, group sessions, and one-to-one development conversations to support performance and growth.

• Conduct appraisals and provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and support to promote individual and team development.

• Step in to manage technical tasks during staff absences to ensure continuity of service.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture aligned with company values.

• Represent the company professionally at networking events and maintain strong client engagement.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience:

• Strong expertise in payroll processing with advanced technical skills and a CIPP qualification or equivalent.

• Proven ability to support payroll team management, ensuring accurate payroll implementation and smooth parallel runs.

• Skilled in resolving customer complaints and delivering excellent client service.

• Proactive approach to client onboarding and relationship building through effective networking.

Key Performance Indicators

• Reduce payroll processing time by increasing efficiency through workflow and autorun set up in Paycircle for at least 80% of schedules.

• Ensure all client emails are acknowledged or responded to within 24-48 hours.

• Ensure all client complaints are acknowledged or responded within 24-48 hours and that a clear correction plan is communicated.

• Ensure 100% completion of relevant compliance for individuals and team members.

• Ensure the payroll checklist is completed per pay run – using the 80 / 20 rule

• Reduce instances of payroll error by rechecking at least 80% of payrolls (auto run payrolls are exempt).

• Reduce client complaints by improving accuracy.

• Continue to market and Identify opportunities to cross sell Gravita financial services to payroll clients.

Your Career with Gravita

When you join Gravita, we’ll support you on your own growth journey. We want to be the place you learn, grow and unlock your true potential.

We’ll work with you to build a progression plan to outline how you’ll grow at our company and everything we’ll do to help you get there. We’re also passionate about learning and development, to help you focus on your future.

The Nitty Gritty

• Our standard working week is a 37.5-hour week on a hybrid basis

• Core working hours are 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday

• Flexible working and happy employees are at the top of our list here at Gravita and we have been working hard to support our teams through the fast-paced changes.

• Your development won’t be forgotten, our development support is extraordinary for a firm of our size.

• It's a busy, fast-paced environment here at Gravita. Feel free to check out our social media channels (Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Glassdoor).