Interim Payroll Consultant (SAP)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Consultant to lead and enhance our payroll operations for a workforce of over 2,000 employees. This role combines hands on payroll expertise, team leadership, and driving continuous process improvement across our payroll function. The ideal candidate will have strong end to end payroll knowledge, advanced SAP payroll experience, and a proven track record of optimising systems, processes, and controls.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive leader who can manage day to day delivery while shaping the future state of payroll within a dynamic and growing organisation.

Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations

• Oversee the accurate and timely processing of monthly payroll for 2,000+ employees.
• Ensure all payroll activities comply with HMRC regulations, statutory requirements, and internal audit standards.
• Manage payroll reconciliations, reporting, and year end processes (P60, P11D, etc.).
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll queries.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small payroll team, providing coaching and support.
• Allocate workload, set priorities, and ensure delivery deadlines are met.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence.

SAP & Process Improvement

• Serve as the payroll SME for SAP Payroll, driving best practice configuration and utilisation.
• Lead payroll related system enhancements, testing, and upgrades in partnership with IT and external vendors.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements to increase accuracy, compliance, and automation.
• Build strong process documentation and maintain internal controls.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and other business units to streamline data flows and improve payroll accuracy.
• Provide payroll insights, metrics, and reporting to senior leadership.
• Manage third party providers and ensure strong service delivery where applicable.

Skills & Experience Required Essential

• Extensive experience in payroll management within a large organisation (1,500+ employees preferred).
• Strong working knowledge of SAP Payroll (required).
• Proven background in leading payroll transformation, automation, or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
• In depth understanding of UK payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical skills and high attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence and engage key stakeholders.