Head of Payroll

Head of Payroll

VANRATH are delighted to be recruiting for a Head of Payroll on behalf of a large, complex organisation operating across the UK and Ireland. This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for payroll delivery within a high-volume, multi-entity environment.

The role would suit a strategic, hands-on payroll leader with strong people management capability and a passion for improving systems, controls, and service delivery.

As Head of Payroll, you will be responsible for the end-to-end payroll function across the UK and Ireland.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and delivering accurate, compliant payrolls for a large workforce, consistently meeting SLAs

• Ensuring full compliance with payroll legislation, pensions, statutory reporting, and governance standards

• Developing and embedding strong payroll controls, reporting, and risk mitigation processes

• Driving continuous improvement, standardisation, and efficiency across payroll operations

• Leading payroll input into wider HR systems and transformation initiatives

Essential:

• 10+ years' experience in senior payroll leadership within a large or complex organisation

• Proven experience managing managers and multi-layered teams

• Strong working knowledge of payroll compliance, controls, and best practice

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

• Highly detail-driven with the ability to identify issues and deliver improvements

Desirable:

• Experience in a SOX-controlled or highly regulated environment

• Exposure to Time & Attendance systems

• Involvement in payroll or HR system implementations (e.g. SAP)

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, HR, or a related discipline

• Professional payroll qualification or accreditation (preferred)

For further information on this vacancy, or any other Accountancy and Finance jobs in Belfast or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Kevin Roberts in the strictest confidence