KennedyPearce Consulting
Head of Payroll
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Location: Central London Salary: £60,000-£80,000 per annum (depending on experience) Working Pattern: Hybrid (3 days in the office) until January 2027, moving to 100% office-based thereafter.
We are partnering with a well-established, multi-site consumer business to appoint their first Head of Payroll.
This is a rare opportunity to establish and lead an in-house payroll function for a recognised British brand as it transitions away from an outsourced payroll provider. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, with a dotted line into the Head of HR, you will take full ownership of payroll strategy and operations, leading the implementation of a new payroll system while building robust processes, controls and governance to support the future growth of the business.
Initially, this will be a hands-on role, with responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of payroll. However, the organisation is looking for a senior payroll professional who can provide strategic direction, influence senior stakeholders and build a best-in-class payroll function from the ground up.
If you're looking for an opportunity where you can genuinely make your mark and shape the future of payroll within a successful, growing organisation, this role offers exactly that.
The Role
- Take full ownership of the payroll function, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of end-to-end payroll for approximately 200 employees.
- Process payroll for a combination of permanent employees and self-employed workers, including commissions, variable pay and TRONC arrangements.
- Lead the transition from an outsourced payroll model to a fully in-house payroll function.
- Evaluate, select and oversee the implementation of a new payroll system, working closely with the Finance Director.
- Develop and implement robust payroll processes, controls and governance frameworks to support business growth.
- Act as the organisation's payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance on payroll legislation, compliance and best practice.
- Partner closely with Finance, HR and operational teams to ensure payroll integrates seamlessly across the business.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and driving continuous improvement.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, process optimisation and technology.
- Ensure payroll remains fully compliant with current legislation, HMRC requirements and internal policies.
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About You
To be successful in this role, you'll ideally have:
- Significant end-to-end payroll experience, operating at Payroll Manager, Head of Payroll or equivalent level.
- Experience leading or playing a significant role in bringing payroll in-house or implementing a payroll system.
- A strong understanding of payroll legislation, governance, controls and compliance.
- Previous experience within a multi-site environment, ideally across retail, hospitality, leisure, beauty or another customer-facing business.
- Experience processing payroll involving commissions, variable pay and/or TRONC.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence senior leadership.
- A strategic mindset, balanced with a willingness to remain hands-on where required.
- A track record of improving payroll processes, controls and operational efficiency.
- Strong leadership capability with the potential to develop and shape the payroll function as the business evolves.
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Benefits
- Complimentary services.
- Generous employee discount on products.
- Company pension scheme.
- 22 days' annual leave, increasing to 25 days with length of service, plus bank holidays.
- Flexible working hours, with core office hours between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
- The opportunity to build and lead an in-house payroll function from the ground up.
- A highly visible role with genuine strategic influence across Finance and HR.
- Long-term career progression within a successful and growing organisation.
If you're an ambitious payroll leader looking for a unique opportunity to build, shape and lead an in-house payroll function while influencing payroll strategy across a well-known multi-site business, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your CV or contact us for a confidential discussion.
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