Job Description

The Role

The Group Shared Services Payroll Manager will lead and manage the centralised payroll function for the Go-Ahead Group Shared Services.

As Group Shared Services Payroll Manager, you will lead a high-performing team to deliver payroll excellence for over 24,000 employees and pensioners, across multiple operational companies, driving compliance, efficiency, and continuous improvement across the Go-Ahead Group.

Managing a skilled team of 1 Deputy Payroll Manager, 1 Assistant Payroll Manager, 1 Payroll Supervisor, and 8 Payroll Administrators, the role will ensure best practice in complex payroll operations, legal compliance, and delivery of exceptional service to both employees and the wider business.

Key Accountabilities

1. Payroll Operations

Oversee the end-to-end processing of multiple payrolls using Advance Business Solutions - OpenPeople software, covering:

30 weekly payrolls

(c. 17,000 employees)

18 monthly payrolls

(c, 1,300 employees)

2 four-weekly payrolls

(c, 1,000 employees)

1 pension payroll

(c, 5,000 pensioners) Ensure all employees and pensioners are paid accurately and on time. Manage the calculation and processing of: Starters & onboarding (including mid-month salary calculations) Leavers (including PILON, redundancy, compromise agreements) Statutory payments: SSP, SMP, SAP, ShPP, SNCP Tax codes, NI rates/letters, National Minimum Wage compliance Average holiday pay, overtime, bonuses, back pay TUPE transfers in/out and pay awards Third-party deductions and payments Pension schemes and contributions Ensure compliance with Real Time Information (RTI) submissions to HMRC, including FPS, EPS, and prior year adjustments. Authorise and transmit BACS files for all payrolls and third-party payments. Oversee timesheet processing from duty allocation systems and spreadsheets for weekly payrolls. Ensure accurate processing of monthly salaried staff with variable elements such as overtime/bonus.
2. Leadership & Team Management

Lead, motivate, and develop the payroll team, ensuring clear performance objectives and professional development plans. Provide coaching, support, and training to keep the team up to date with payroll legislation, compliance requirements, and best practice. Manage the team's flexi-time arrangements and ensure adequate cover for all payroll periods. Champion a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
3. Compliance, Reporting & Audit

Maintain full compliance with payroll legislation and statutory deadlines. Manage internal and external audit requirements, ensuring robust internal controls and reconciliations are in place. Work with HR and finance teams across the Group to provide accurate payroll-related reports. Ensure payroll data integrity and maintain accurate employee masterfile records. Balance and submit year-end returns (P35s, P60s, P11Ds, Class 1A NI). Collaborate with the Deputy Payroll Manager to monitor National Minimum Wage compliance and process top-up payments where required.
4. Pension Administration

Manage auto-enrolment and money purchase pension schemes, with a clear understanding of pensionable pay definitions. Set up new pension schemes during company onboarding. Extract, reconcile, and submit pension contribution files, leavers, and changes to the Group pension department. Complete pension year-end processes, including recalculations for reduced contributions during statutory leave. Liaise with the Group Pension Team to ensure scheme accuracy and compliance.
5. System & Process Management

Liaise with payroll software provider and Group IT to implement legislative changes, system upgrades, and test environment validation before live deployment. Ensure payroll system user access is managed (set-ups and password resets). Drive continuous improvement, refining payroll practices for efficiency and compliance. Manage TUPE onboarding and new business payroll integration, ensuring seamless transition and parallel runs.
6. Year-End & New Tax Year Preparation

Ensure timely completion of all final week/month payroll runs before closing the year. Implement new tax codes from HMRC and prepare systems for Week 1 payroll processing. Balance all statutory returns and reports. Work with accounts teams to prepare and submit P11Ds and ensure Class 1A NI payment is made on time. Oversee the production of the business monthly management accounts in line with Go-Ahead Group policies. Comply with all Go-Ahead Group internal reporting requirements. Review and interrogate the profit and loss account for the business, explaining material variances and trends. Analyse the balance sheet for business, ensuring that balance sheet reconciliations are robust and comprehensive. Establish yourself as an expert with the Oracle Fusion system and support the administration and staff training of the accounting software. Manage the finance team, conducting regular reviews and annual appraisals. Prepare the year end Statutory Accounts and liaise with the external audit team. Coordinate the preparation of the annual budget and regular forecasts. Undertake any additional reasonable duties at the request of the Finance Director. Complete any training and development activities at the request of the Finance Director.

Person Specification

CIPP qualification (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals). Proven experience in leading and managing high-volume, complex and multi-frequency payroll operations. Extremely strong and proven leadership skills, with an extensive track record of successfully managing teams of senior payroll professionals. In-depth knowledge of end-to-end payroll processes, statutory requirements, and compliance. Strong understanding of Auto Enrolment legislation and pension scheme administration. Excellent organisational skills and ability to work to strict deadlines. Exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Strong Excel skills (advanced formulas, data validation, pivot tables). Excellent communication and relationship-building skills at all levels. Flexibility to work extended hours when required to ensure timely payroll submissions (time in lieu and overtime is available).
Please provide full CV with application.

Please note that while this vacancy is Monday to Friday, some weekend and bank holiday working will be required to fit the needs of the business.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Free or subsidised travel Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Referral programme Sick pay Store discount
Licence/Certification:

CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) (required)
Work Location: In person