Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

Lambeth, London

️ London Borough of Lambeth

⏰ 35 hours per week

Hybrid working

£73-78k per annum depending on experience

27 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Generous Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions

Join One of London's Most Ambitious Boroughs

Lambeth is at the heart of one of London's most vibrant and diverse communities. As a forward-thinking local authority, Lambeth is committed to delivering exceptional services for residents, schools and employees while embracing innovation, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Payroll Manager to join the Payroll & Pensions team. This is a fantastic role for a payroll professional with strong technical expertise, leadership experience, and a passion for delivering an outstanding customer-focused payroll service.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Payroll & Pensions, you will lead a large team, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services across the Council and external clients, including schools.

You will play a key role in maintaining compliance, driving service improvements, supporting digital transformation initiatives, and ensuring payroll operations meet all statutory and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead, develop and motivate a large team of Team Leaders, Senior Payroll & Pensions Officers, Technical Payroll Offices and Payroll Administrators

✅ Manage and oversee the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accuracy and timely payments

✅ Provide expert advice on PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments and payroll legislation

✅ Ensure compliance with HMRC requirements, RTI reporting, LGPS, Teachers' Pensions, NHS Pension Scheme and Auto Enrolment regulations

✅ Support payroll modernisation and continuous improvement initiatives, including digitisation projects

✅ Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, schools and external clients

✅ Produce management information, KPI reporting and payroll analysis for senior leadership

✅ Implement pay awards, back pay calculations and payroll reconciliations

✅ Conduct quality assurance checks and develop controls to minimise payroll risk and overpayments

✅ Act as deputy to the Head of Payroll & Pensions when required

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

✔ Significant payroll management within a complex organisation (ideally local authority)

✔ Strong working knowledge of PAYE, Tax, National Insurance, statutory payments and pension regulations

✔ Experience leading, mentoring and developing payroll staff

✔ Excellent stakeholder management and customer service skills

✔ Experience managing payroll deadlines within a high volume fast-paced environment

✔ Strong analytical, problem-solving and process improvement skills

✔ Knowledge of payroll systems and payroll-related legislation

✔ Professional payroll qualifications (CIPP) or equivalent payroll experience would be highly desirable

✔ Local Government and Schools payroll experience would be highly advantageous

Why Join Lambeth?

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid working

⏰ 35-hour working week

Generous Local Government Pension Scheme

Excellent learning and development opportunities

Inclusive, supportive and collaborative culture

Opportunity to play a key role in payroll transformation and service improvement

If you're an experienced payroll professional looking to take the next step in your leadership career with a progressive London borough, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and help shape the future of payroll services at London Borough of Lambeth.