Senior Payroll Manager

Position Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Senior Payroll Manager to head a well-established outsourced payroll division within a growing professional services firm based in Kilkenny, Ireland. This leadership role includes managing two Payroll Managers and a team of Payroll Specialists, overseeing multiple client payrolls, and ensuring compliance with Irish payroll laws and regulations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Payroll Managers and specialists to enhance their performance and professional growth.
• Ensure accurate, timely payroll processing for multiple clients, consistently meeting service level agreements and standards.
• Manage your own client portfolio and serve as the senior point of escalation for complex payroll challenges.
• Guarantee adherence to Irish payroll legislation, including Revenue requirements and statutory mandates.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external clients, providing expert payroll advice and ensuring satisfaction and retention.
• Oversee operational metrics such as KPIs, workload balancing, resource allocation, and service quality.
• Drive payroll process improvements including automation, optimization, and adoption of new technologies.
• Participate in payroll system implementations and transformation projects.
• Collaborate with senior internal stakeholders across HR, Finance, IT, and other departments.
• Support budgeting and resource planning for the payroll function.
• Contribute to proposals, pricing strategies, and business development initiatives related to payroll services.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Between 8 to 10+ years of payroll experience, with at least 3 to 5 years in senior management or leadership roles.
• Extensive experience in managing outsourced payroll services for multiple clients.
• IPASS qualification is mandatory.
• A third-level degree in Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field.
• In-depth understanding of Irish payroll legislation and compliance best practices.
• Proven track record in leading payroll teams, including Payroll Managers or Team Leads.
• Experience handling complex payroll matters and acting as a senior escalation resource.
• Hands-on experience in payroll system deployment, automation, and process improvement projects.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within SLAs and monitoring operational performance via KPIs.
• Commercial awareness regarding client service, retention, and business growth.

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role is tailored for candidates with backgrounds as Senior Payroll Managers, Payroll Services Managers, Heads of Payroll, Payroll Operations Managers, Payroll Bureau Managers, or Senior Payroll Managers in payroll bureaus, accountancy firms, or professional services that handle multiple client payrolls and sizeable payroll teams. Candidates whose experience is mainly focused on single-organization payroll management without significant outsourced or multi-client payroll expertise are unlikely to be suitable.