Senior Payroll Partner

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Payroll Partner at our Wakefield office!

This is a 12-month contract role to cover maternity leave.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Payroll Partner / Payroll Manager with excellent end-to-end payroll knowledge.

Salary; from £43,500 per annum

You will form part of the Global Payroll Team and will lead a small team of two direct reports.

Duties will include, but are not limited to, overseeing the processing of the monthly payroll for approximately 2,000 employees.

• You’ll need a good understanding of Excel, journal entries, and reconciliations. The software used is In-Pay, and experience using different payroll packages will be advantageous.
• We offer flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working. This will likely be two days in our Wakefield office (Tuesday and Wednesday) and three days working from home.
• This is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week role, but we may consider applicants who are looking for reduced hours or fewer days.
• We offer a competitive salary and great benefits.

We shortlist for our vacancies on an ongoing basis, and we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. Please can you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

City & Guilds are a Disability confident employer. Please let us know if you require any support/adjustments at your interview and if successful any adjustments needed to support you in your role. If this is required, please email;

• Manage the end-to-end operation of UK and international payrolls within the central model, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, statutory filings, approvals, payments, and post-payroll processes.
• Lead the small team to deliver an excellent employee experience, resolving queries promptly and effectively.
• Own key external and internal relationships, acting as the main contact for outsourced providers, tax authorities (including HMRC), auditors, and senior Finance and People Team stakeholders.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring full compliance with documentation and reporting requirements.
• Oversee pension scheme administration, including enrolments, leavers, reconciliations, submissions, and liaison with relevant internal teams and advisers.
• Ensure robust controls, standards, and compliance across all payroll activities, including legislative and GDPR requirements.
• Review and improve payroll processes, driving efficiency and leveraging automation and technology.
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and monthly journal preparation for Finance.
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll queries, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Provide reporting and insights on payroll activities, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Experience of working within an in-house payroll function of a similar size and scale
• Experience in UK & International payroll processing
• Experience of leading/ overseeing a small team
• Ability to multitask and work to strict deadlines under pressure with a natural ability to prioritise under minimal supervision
• Demonstrable experience of Finance & Payroll process improvement
• Problem analysis and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly spot and act on things that don’t look right
• Strong stakeholder management skills and written and verbal communication ability
• Strong analytical skills and ability to maintain and manage high quality master data
• Level 3 Payroll qualifications - CIPP

We offer the opportunity to work in an innovative, engaging and market-leading organisation with opportunities to develop your existing skills and explore new ones.

You’ll receive an excellent benefits package which typically includes a great base salary, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, pension, private healthcare, volunteering opportunities and much more.

We welcome a discussion about how this role could work flexibly for you. For example work pattern, hours or location.