Payroll Controls and Compliance Associate Director

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading professional services organisation for a Payroll Controls and Compliance Associate Director to join their national payroll function.

This is a senior-level role with a strong focus on governance, risk management, and continuous improvement. You will play a key role in ensuring payroll operations are delivered in line with current legislation, internal controls, and best practice standards.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will help shape and strengthen payroll compliance frameworks while supporting teams across multiple locations.

What’s on Offer:

Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Location:Manchester
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum 

Key Responsibilities

Support the development and maintenance of payroll controls and compliance frameworks
Monitor and mitigate risks associated with payroll service delivery
Maintain and manage risk registers and incident reporting processes
Ensure payroll teams are aligned with current legislation, policies, and procedures
Review compliance across the payroll function and address areas of concern
Lead on payroll incident investigations and implement corrective actions
Identify weaknesses in processes and recommend improvements
Drive continuous improvement initiatives across payroll operations
Collaborate with stakeholders across multiple teams and locations
Provide leadership and support to payroll controls & compliance team members 

Skills & Experience

Proven experience in a senior payroll role
Strong understanding of payroll compliance, controls, and risk management
Experience designing and implementing control frameworks
Knowledge of payroll legislation and best practice standards
Experience investigating payroll incidents and implementing solutions
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
Experience working within a multi-site or national organisation (desirable) 

Key Attributes

Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to risk management
Detail oriented with strong organisational skills
Confident decision maker with the ability to influence change
Collaborative and team focused mindset
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment 

How to Apply

If you are an experienced payroll professional looking to step into a strategic, high-impact role, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV to apply.

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