Assistant Payroll Manager

Macildowie are delighted to be partnering with a well-established organisation within the contract catering and hospitality industry to recruit an experienced and driven Assistant Payroll Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional looking to step into a leadership role within a fast-paced, service-led environment.

The Role

As Assistant Payroll Manager, you will support the delivery of an accurate, compliant, and timely payroll service across a multi-site operation. You will play a key role in overseeing the end-to-end payroll cycle.

You will act as the subject matter expert for complex payroll queries, support senior stakeholders across the business, and drive continuous improvement across payroll operations. This role requires strong technical payroll knowledge combined with leadership capability and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll cycle, including monthly processing, HMRC submissions, and payroll journal entries

• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, employment law, pension schemes, and internal policies

• Maintain accurate payroll records including pay, deductions, leave, benefits, and employment changes

• Reconcile payroll accounts monthly and resolve discrepancies

• Produce and submit monthly pension data to providers

• Prepare the annual gender pay gap report

• Ensure payroll control accounts are reviewed and balanced each month.

• Allocate and recharge departmental payroll costs accuratelyIdentify and implement payroll process

We are looking for someone with:

• Proven experience in end-to-end payroll processing, ideally within a multi-site or service-led environment

• Strong knowledge of HMRC regulations, employment legislation, pensions, deductions, and benefits

• Experience reconciling accounts and preparing payroll journals

• Systems experience including Sage Payroll and Sage HR

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word

If you are an experienced payroll professional ready to take ownership and support a high-performing team within the hospitality sector, please apply or contact Macildowie for a confidential discussion.