Payroll Manager - 3 month fixed term contract

We’re looking for a temporary Payroll Manager to join our team in Manchester for a 3 month period. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is highly organised and detail oriented, and who enjoys leading efficient payroll operations while making a positive impact on employee experience.

You’ll play a key role in ensuring our colleagues are paid accurately and on time, while staying compliant with relevant legislation.

What you'll be doing:

• Manage the monthly payroll for circa 1,500 employees, ensuring salaries, bonuses, and deductions are processed accurately.
• Make sure we comply with all UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements, and tax regulations.
• Administer employee benefits including pensions and statutory payments like parental leave and sick pay.
• Develop and improve payroll processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Prepare and analyse payroll reports for internal teams and audits.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and respond to employee queries in a timely and supportive manner.
• Oversee and submit employment tax-related reporting (e.g. P11Ds and PSA).
• Stay informed on changes to payroll legislation and implement any necessary updates.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate documentation across all payroll activities.
• Be the first point of contact for payroll-related questions.
• Liaise with external advisers, auditors, and HMRC as needed regarding payroll and employment tax matters.

What skills and experience you need:

• A CIPP Foundation Degree in Payroll Management or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Experience managing payroll operations, ideally with 5+ years in a similar role.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax requirements, and employment law.
• Good understanding of employee benefits and pension administration.
• Confident using Excel and comfortable with analysing data.
• A collaborative and solution-focused approach to solving problems.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with people at all levels.
• Experience with Dayforce / Ceridian is helpful but not essential.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.

About us

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 620,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £96.1 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2024 named a Great Place to Work®.

Hybrid working

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.