Payroll Manager

Job Title: Payroll Manager - Three month contract

Location: Coventry, UK

Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon–Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)

Vacancy Type: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) or Part time (Minimum 3 days per week)

Salary: Circa £300 per day (as a contractor) or circa £55,000 per annum as an FTC, subject to experience

The job

We are looking for an experienced Payroll Manager to join NP Aerospace on a three-month temporary contract to work with the existing Payroll team to ensure delivery of multiple payrolls during a busy period for the business.

This is a hands-on role with responsibility for end-to-end UK payroll process, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, all statutory obligations are met, and payroll information is complete, controlled and ready for approval. You will work closely with existing members of Payroll, HR, Finance, managers and operational teams to resolve queries, validate payroll inputs and maintain strong payroll governance.

You will need to be highly experienced and confident using Sage Payroll and comfortable stepping into an established process quickly, managing deadlines independently and handling both straightforward and complex payroll matters.

Experience supporting or managing a Canadian payroll is not essential but would be advantageous, as the role may also provide oversight and coordination with the company’s Canadian payroll provider.

We are open to full and part time candidates joining as a professional contractor or on a three-month fixed term contract.

Do you want to know more about NPA? Visit our LinkedIn page and NPA Careers Page to find out more about us!

What you'll be doing

In this role, you will take ownership of payroll delivery, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time and that all statutory, contractual and internal requirements are met. The key duties and responsibilities are outlined below.

Payroll delivery

• Manage the end-to-end UK payroll process using Sage Payroll, ensuring all payments are accurate, complete and delivered to agreed deadlines alongside the Payroll Team.
• Validate payroll inputs, including new starters, leavers, salary changes, overtime, shift allowances, bonuses and other pay amendments.
• Calculate and process final payments for leavers in line with payroll procedures and statutory requirements.
• Process statutory payments and deductions, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory leave payments, court orders and other authorised deductions.
• Administer pension auto enrolment, salary sacrifice and salary exchange arrangements, working with pension providers and internal stakeholders where required.
• Review time and attendance information and resolve any discrepancies before payroll is finalised.
• Prepare and check BACS payment files, payroll control reports and supporting documentation before approval.
• Support the coordination of Canadian payroll through the company’s third party provider where required.

Payroll compliance and controls

• Ensure payroll activity complies with current UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and company policies.
• Complete Real Time Information submissions and other statutory payroll reporting accurately and on time.
• Support payroll year end activity, including relevant reconciliations, reporting and statutory submissions.
• Ensure National Minimum Wage requirements are met and escalate any concerns promptly.
• Maintain clear payroll controls, audit trails and supporting records for each payroll cycle.
• Monitor changes in payroll legislation and ensure processes remain compliant.

Reporting and stakeholder support

• Act as the main point of contact for payroll related queries from employees, managers and internal teams.

Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.

Experience

Essential

• Strong experience managing end to end UK payroll.
• Significant experience using Sage Payroll.
• Good knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and statutory payments.
• Experience processing payroll changes, checks, reconciliations, BACS files and statutory submissions.
• Strong Excel skills, excellent attention to detail and confidence working with payroll data.
• Able to work independently, manage strict deadlines and handle confidential information professionally.
• Experience using AI tools, or a willingness to learn and apply them within the role.

Desirable

• Experience managing or coordinating Canadian payroll.
• Experience working within manufacturing, engineering or another operational environment.
• A recognised payroll qualification, such as CIPP, or equivalent professional experience.

Potential ability assessment

As part of the interview process, you may be asked to deliver a short presentation on a payroll challenge relevant to the role. Full details and preparation guidance will be shared in advance.

What do we do at NP Aerospace?

NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry.

Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture.

Our extensive range of combat-proven body armour, from ballistic helmets, plates, and shields to bomb disposal suits, highlights some of the most advanced composite materials. With a team of R&D engineers working on next-generation solutions, we also excel in highly engineered vehicle systems and armour platforms used by some of the world’s largest defence organisations.

Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace has served the defence industry for over 40 years, evolving into an agile and diverse company. Our Business Development team is expanding both in the UK and North America.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.

Data Privacy: NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.

Please note: If successful, you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act and successfully pass the necessary checks before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.