The Payroll Manager oversees the UK payroll function, ensuring accurate payroll processing, compliance with regulations, and effective stakeholder management, while implementing robust payroll systems and controls.
Together Group is a global collective of best-in-class creative consultancies, marketing agencies, technology studios, and production companies — all dedicated to shaping the future of luxury and lifestyle. With agencies such as Purple, King & Partners, Noë & Associates, Construct, Hot Pot China, North Six, and others, the Group delivers world-leading expertise across brand strategy, communications, digital, e-commerce, content, production, and experiential.
Together Group partners with the world’s most desirable luxury brands across fashion, beauty, hospitality, lifestyle, automotive, culture, and destinations.
As part of our Finance Transformation we are hiring a Payroll Manager to deliver Payroll Services for our UK agencies. This role will form an important pillar in our London based Shared Services team, as we develop a best in class finance team for the group.
Role Purpose
The Payroll Manager will be the day-to-day owner and subject-matter expert of the UK payroll function, responsible for the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll for all UK employees, implementing strong payroll systems, processes and internal controls.
This is a hands-on role combining operational delivery with project and transformation work.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll operations - own the end-to-end monthly UK payroll cycle for all employees
· Process starters, leavers, contractual changes, bonuses, salary sacrifice and benefits-in-kind accurately and within deadlines.
· Calculate and reconcile PAYE, National Insurance, student loan deductions, attachment of earnings orders, statutory payments and pension contributions.
· Manage year-end activities for tax and annual benefits cycles.
· Act as the main point of contact for employee payroll queries, resolving issues professionally and with discretion.
· Liaise with the wider Finance team on payroll journals, balance sheet reconciliations, accruals and cash forecasting.
Systems and data · System owner and power user for the UK payroll platform
· Ensure master data integrity, resolving issues promptly
Controls, compliance and risk · Maintain a robust control environment over the payroll process.
· Ensure full compliance with all statutory reporting and regulations, and monitor legislative changes timely to ensure up to date processes in operation
· Safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of employee data in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Stakeholder management · Liaise with the People team on employee lifecycle events, policy design and communications.
· Manage third-party providers including pension providers, benefits brokers and HMRC.
· Provide clear, accurate information to senior stakeholders and the Executive team on payroll cost, risk and compliance.
Skills and Experience
· Experience running a UK multi entity payroll end-to-end in a standalone or lead capacity.
· Deep, current technical knowledge of UK PAYE, NI, statutory payments, pensions auto-enrolment, salary sacrifice, benefits-in-kind and year-end processes.
· Demonstrable experience operating within a strong internal control framework
· Hands-on experience configuring and optimising a modern cloud payroll system, plus experience of at least one payroll implementation, migration or major upgrade.
· Excellent Excel skills
· Experience partnering with Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations and GL integration.
· Meticulous attention to detail with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.
· Calm, discreet and professional when handling sensitive data and difficult employee queries.
· Self starter, pragmatic problem solver and clear communicator
About
Purple is independent in philosophy, attitude and operation –offering a boutique in-house approach, the strategic requirements of each client are individually tailored from the outset. Purple’s services cover press relations, editorial procurement, product placement and high profile event management.A specialist knowledge of the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment industries gives unrivalled insight into brand positioning and sustaining meaningful press coverage.
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