Payroll Officer

Interim Payroll Manager (3-Month Contract) We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Interim Payroll Manager to join our client’s Finance team on a 3-month contract. This is a specialist role within a fast-paced and demanding environment, requiring an individual with extensive payroll knowledge who can take full ownership of the payroll function, ensure accurate and timely payments, and provide effective leadership to payroll administration staff.

About the Role Reporting to the Finance team, you will manage the organisation's payroll function in its entirety, ensuring that payroll and fee-paid contracts are administered efficiently and accurately in line with contractual obligations and legislative requirements.

You will work largely autonomously while maintaining close working relationships with Finance, Human Resources, departmental managers, employees and external agencies.

The payroll operation includes

Approximately 400 employees on a standard monthly payroll

Between 600 and 900 part-time employees paid monthly via electronic timesheets

Around 100 fee-paid contracts processed through PAYE

Around 200 fee-paid contracts processed via the purchase ledger

You will also provide line management and support to a Payroll Administrator, ensuring workloads are managed effectively and service standards are maintained.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and process the full end-to-end payroll cycle for all employee groups and fee-paid contracts

Prepare, verify and input all payroll-related information, maintaining accurate payroll records and statutory returns

Process payroll payment files through BACS, ensuring all payments are authorised and submitted within required timescales

Reconcile payroll transactions, including net pay, PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions and other payroll-related accounts

Prepare monthly payroll reconciliations to support financial reporting and year-end audit requirements

Liaise closely with Human Resources regarding starters, leavers, contractual changes and employment-related matters

Provide advice and guidance to staff on payroll, pensions, taxation, timesheets and employment status queries

Respond to payroll-related enquiries from managers, employees and external organisations

Process pay awards, salary increments and contractual variations

Complete statutory and ad hoc returns as required

Produce payroll analyses and management information to support Finance reporting requirements

Maintain detailed payroll records and departmental analyses

Support payroll system upgrades, testing and implementation projects

Work with Finance colleagues and external providers on payroll system improvements and developments

Ensure compliance with payroll legislation and maintain up-to-date professional knowledge

Line manage the Payroll Administrator, including workload allocation, performance management, annual reviews and absence management

Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the effective operation of the payroll function

Essential Requirements We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate:

Significant experience managing full end-to-end payroll operations

Experience processing complex payrolls involving permanent employees, part-time workers and fee-paid contracts

Strong knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and payroll legislation

Experience operating and maintaining payroll and accounting systems

Experience of payroll reconciliations and working with finance ledger systems

Experience using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel

Ability to identify and resolve payroll system and processing issues

Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet strict deadlines

Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels

Experience handling confidential and sensitive information with discretion

Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and take ownership of the payroll function

Previous experience managing or supervising payroll staff

Desirable Requirements

Payroll or finance-related qualification

Experience of payroll system implementation or migration projects

Experience within the Higher Education, public sector, arts or cultural sectors

Experience processing payments for freelance or fee-paid workers

Contract Details

Contract Length: 3 months

Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm

Pay: £20.81 per hour

Location: Glasgow City Centre - Hybrid - 3 days per week in the office, increasing to 5 days per week during the handover period

This opportunity would suit an experienced payroll professional who can quickly establish themselves within a complex payroll environment and provide immediate operational leadership and expertise.