Assistant Payroll Manager

We are hiring! We are looking to recruit an Assistant Payroll Manager to join our growing Payroll team. This role is crucial for providing excellent payroll management for Wickes Building Supplier and is an integral part of our HRSS team, reporting directly to the Payroll Manager.

In this role, you will work closely with the Payroll Manager to oversee the daily partnership with our payroll vendor. Your responsibilities will include supervising the preparation and processing of payroll for all employees, ensuring both accuracy and strict adherence to internal policies and legal regulations.

Additionally, this position will be actively involved in the training and development of the Payroll team. We are looking for a leader who can foster a collaborative environment, both within Payroll Services and across other departments, to deliver exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate will also be adept at identifying, analysing, and articulating process and technology improvements, and will stay informed about current trends in payroll.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ownership for delivery of BAU Payroll, with two direct reports:
• Overseeing the delivery of monthly payroll, alongside annual payroll calendars and tasks (e.g. P11d's PSA)
• Provide exceptional experience, resulting in high customer satisfaction.
• Liaising between outsource provider and functional staff to resolve issues efficiently and within agreed service level agreements.
• Assisting the payroll manager in gathering feedback from various teams to identify areas for improving vendor services and recommend enhancements to the payroll function.

Payroll Services Governance:

• Day-to-day liaison with the outsourced payroll service providers to ensure delivery of the payroll processes
• Manage responsive, accurate, and timely resolution for common payroll vendor services inquiries.
• Review additional services payments against contractual obligations and find opportunities for reducing occurrences.
• Directly accountable to ensure that Payroll service meets all applicable service level agreements in Manager absence
• Assisting the payroll Manager in ensuring the Standard Operating Procedures are kept up to date with current payroll service provider model practices and procedures.

What are we looking for:

• Demonstrable track record of leading Payroll within a large, complex, organisation.
• 7+ years (or equivalent) of experience in running a in-house payroll or an outsourced payroll provider
• Possess a deep understanding and experience of payroll (e.g. statutory payments, pension/auto-enrolment, manual calculations) and HMRC regulations
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Possess strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Apply sound judgement and discretion with sensitive information.
• Passion for providing exceptional quality service and striving for exceeding business' expectations.
• Issue resolution, solution oriented, and accountability.
• Analytical skills with ability to produce and effectively articulate recommendations to leadership.
• General understanding of HR and Payroll system databases, functions and processes, specifically cross-functional touch points.
• Outstanding leadership quality, business commercial awareness.
• Proficiency in payroll software and Google

Desirable:

CIPP or equivalent qualification

What can we offer you:

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us.

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:

• Competitive bonus
• Private medical healthcare
• Save-as-you-earn scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discount
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.

By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.

We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.

About Us:

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.

But it is the Wickes culture that we are really proud of. It's a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.