Job Description

Job Title - Client Payroll Manager

Location: Birmingham or Manchester

Job Description

The role of Managers is to manage and assure the delivery of operational payroll projects for KPMG bureau based clients.

To provide expert technical support in the delivery of approximately 350 client payrolls, spanning UK, modified, and shadow payrolls for both domestic and international clients. The payroll spans single headcount payrolls to those of circa 500+ employees. The role is designed for a manager with deep payroll expertise, able to operate at pace and under pressure, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and exceptional client service.

The manager will be accountable for client service management and service level agreement delivery.

UK Client Payroll operations – roles and responsibilities

• Take ownership of client relationships for defined clients.
• Work with the payroll team both onshore and offshore in processing a portfolio of 350 client payrolls, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll runs across UK, modified, and shadow payrolls.
• Apply advanced technical knowledge to resolve support closure of escalations, complex payroll queries, including expatriate and international payroll requirements.
• Delivery of payrolls to set deadlines, demonstrating resilience and composure under pressure.
• Act as reviewer and conduct checks and reconciliations to ensure payroll outputs meet client expectations and compliance standards.
• Maintain commercial and scope discipline.
• Support on boarding of new clients, ensuring smooth transitions and rapid integration into payroll processes.
• Act as a technical point of contact for payroll queries, providing clear, concise, and solution-oriented responses.
• Collaborate with internal teams to support cross-border payroll delivery and resolve escalations swiftly.
• Contribute to the development of SOPs, checklists, and training materials for payroll operations.
• Share technical insights and best practices with colleagues to support a culture of learning and excellence.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Similar payroll experience, with proven delivery in multi payroll environments.
• CIPP qualification preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of UK regulations including PAYE, NIC and Pension application
• Demonstrated ability to work at speed, under pressure, and to strict deadlines.
• Strong technical problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency in payroll software (ideally on Sage and/or Star) and Microsoft Office.
• Self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Forward-thinking, able to anticipate risks and issues.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and client focused
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Additional Attributes

• Client payroll bureau experience desirable
• Experience of expat, shadow or modified payrolls

Our Locations:

We are open to talk to talent across the country but our core hubs for this role are:

Manchester

Birmingham

With 20 sites across the UK, we can potentially facilitate office work, working from home, flexible hours, and part-time options. If you have a need for flexibility, please register and discuss this with our team.

Find out More:

Within KPMG we have a range of divisions and specialisms. Click the links to find out more below:

About our firm: About our firm (kpmgcareers.co.uk)

KPMG Culture. Being Inclusive: Being inclusive (kpmgcareers.co.uk)

KPMG Workability and Disability confidence: Need Support? Let us know (kpmgcareers.co.uk)

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