Location: Hare Hatch, Reading

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Job Type: Full-time

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Lead. Transform. Deliver Payroll Excellence.

Are you an experienced payroll professional ready to take the next step in your career?

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Payroll to lead and develop the payroll function across IHCM Group and its supporting sister companies.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will take overall responsibility for delivering an accurate, efficient and compliant payroll service across the Group.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who combines strong technical payroll knowledge with strategic vision, excellent financial control and proven people-management skills.

You will play a key role in transforming payroll operations, strengthening governance, developing a high-performing team and leading the implementation of a new ERP payroll system integrated with rostering and time-and-attendance systems.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Leadership & Team Management

Lead and develop the Group payroll function, ensuring consistent service delivery across all entities.
Manage and support the Payroll Manager and wider payroll team, driving performance, development and succession planning.
Establish effective payroll processes, clear responsibilities and robust operating procedures.
Provide strategic payroll advice to the CFO and senior leadership team.

Financial Control & Compliance

Take ownership of the payroll budget, provider costs and financial reporting.
Develop and maintain robust payroll controls, including reconciliations, payment approvals and audit processes.
Monitor payroll expenditure, overtime, variable pay, holiday liabilities, overpayments and discrepancies.
Ensure compliance with HMRC requirements, PAYE, National Insurance, RTI, statutory payments and pension obligations.
Maintain compliance with National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage legislation, particularly across shift-based and 24/7 working environments.
Oversee pension auto-enrolment, holiday pay, statutory reporting and year-end processes.
Lead payroll audit preparation and ensure identified issues are addressed effectively.

Systems & Payroll Transformation

Lead the payroll function through the implementation of the new ERP payroll system.
Oversee integration with rostering and time-and-attendance systems, including testing, data mapping and implementation.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes and strengthen payroll reporting.
Manage payroll integration for acquisitions and TUPE transfers, ensuring contractual and statutory terms are maintained.
Support the introduction of new pay and benefits arrangements, including salary sacrifice schemes.

Stakeholder Management

Work closely with Finance, HR, Operations, IT and external payroll providers.
Build effective relationships with senior leaders and operational managers.
Manage escalated payroll queries and drive improvements in employee experience.
Provide accurate payroll management information to support business planning and decision-making.

About You

The successful candidate will have

CIPP Foundation Degree in Payroll Management, Payroll Management Diploma or equivalent senior payroll expertise.
Proven experience leading payroll operations within a UK organisation employing 2,000+ employees.
Experience managing payroll for a predominantly hourly-paid or shift-based workforce.
Strong experience managing, developing and leading payroll teams.
A proven track record of delivering payroll system implementations, migrations or significant process improvements.
Expert knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, RTI, National Minimum Wage, holiday pay, auto-enrolment and statutory payments.
Strong understanding of payroll financial controls, reconciliations, auditing and data protection.
Advanced Excel and analytical skills, with the ability to produce meaningful management information.
Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the confidence to engage with executive-level colleagues.
The ability to manage competing priorities, meet strict deadlines and resolve complex payroll matters.

Desirable Experience

Experience within health and social care or another 24/7 operational environment.
Knowledge of bank staff, irregular-hours workers and sleep-in payments.
Experience with pension and salary sacrifice scheme implementation.
Experience managing payroll integration following acquisitions or TUPE transfers.
Familiarity with Sage Payroll, Odoo and rostering or time-and-attendance systems.
CIPP membership or Fellowship.
Finance or accounting qualification, such as AAT, part-qualified CIMA or ACCA.
Understanding of payroll requirements relating to UK sponsor licence compliance.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a proactive, hands-on and commercially aware leader who can combine strategic thinking with operational delivery.

You will demonstrate integrity, discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential payroll information. You will also be collaborative, decisive and resilient, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a key Group function and make a real impact.

You will have the opportunity to:

Lead and shape the Group payroll strategy.
Drive payroll transformation and systems improvement.
Develop and strengthen a dedicated payroll team.
Work closely with the CFO and senior leadership team.
Improve financial governance, operational efficiency and employee experience.

Apply Today!

If you are an experienced payroll leader looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to lead a complex, multi-entity payroll operation, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now through Reed to take the next step in your career as Head of Payroll.

Head of Payroll @ Integrated Health Care Management

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