Payroll Manager

The opportunity

We're looking for a Payroll Manager to take ownership of payroll operations across our UK and US businesses. In this role, you'll own the end-to-end payroll process, manage our outsourced provider relationships and act as the primary point of contact for employees and auditors on all payroll matters, helping us ensure our colleagues are paid accurately and on time.

About Kubrick

Kubrick is an award-winning consultancy that helps organizations design, build and scale data and AI solutions that deliver lasting impact.

We work with organizations across industries including financial services, healthcare, retail, energy, aviation, and the public sector, and partner with leading technology providers such as Microsoft, Snowflake, Databricks, and Collibra. Our status as a Gold Databricks Partner and an Elite Snowflake AI Data Cloud Services Partner means our people work at the cutting edge of these platforms, opening doors to specialist projects, accreditations, and career opportunities you won't find everywhere.

What sets us apart is how we build capabilities and careers. Through continuous learning, real world experience, and a collaborative culture, we help our people develop the skills, confidence, and experience to build rewarding careers.

We're also just as committed to building an inclusive industry. We're proud long-standing partners of Women in Data, a not for profit dedicated to helping more women succeed in data and AI, recognized in 2026 with a shortlisting for their Brand Partner of the Year award. Our work in this space has also been recognized by SheCanCode and Women in Tech.

What you'll be doing

Payroll Operations

• Own the end-to-end monthly UK payroll process and manage the bi-monthly US payroll process through outsourced providers.

• Review payroll inputs, outputs and exception reports to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to approval.

• Ensure all payroll changes — starters, leavers, salary changes, bonuses, benefits and statutory payments — are processed correctly and on time.

• Act as the primary relationship manager for all outsourced payroll providers, maintaining and improving service levels.

Accounting & Financial Control

• Prepare and post monthly payroll journals and maintain balance sheet reconciliations for payroll-related accounts.

• Support month-end and year-end close processes and provide payroll cost analysis to support forecasting.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation including PAYE/NIC, auto-enrolment, P11D and PSA obligations.

• Oversee US payroll compliance through the PEO, including federal and state payroll tax, SUTA and 401(k) administration.

• Maintain robust payroll controls, policies and documented procedures, keeping abreast of legislative changes in both jurisdictions.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting

• Act as the main point of contact for employee payroll queries, delivering a high standard of service.

• Produce regular payroll reporting and management information for Finance, HR and senior stakeholders.

• Support internal and external audits, preparing reconciliations and supporting documentation as required.

• Identify and drive opportunities to improve processes, controls, automation and the employee payroll experience.

What we're looking for

Essential

• Significant payroll management experience within a medium or large organisation.

• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers.

• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance.

• Experience overseeing US payroll through a PEO or outsourced provider.

• Strong understanding of payroll accounting and balance sheet reconciliations.

• Experience preparing payroll journals.

• Confident working with large data sets in Excel

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

• Experience supporting internal and external audits.

Desirable

• Experience with payroll systems such as Deel and Paycircle

• Experience working within a fast-growing international business.

• Experience supporting payroll projects and system implementations.

We don't expect you to tick every box. If you're excited about the role and meet a good proportion of the criteria, we'd still love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave, above the statutory minimum, with shared parental leave options

• Additional family leave support, including up to 18 weeks parental leave, 5 days dependent care leave, paid fertility treatment leave, and up to 3 weeks paid parental bereavement leave

• 33 days annual leave (25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays)

• Flexible working options, including flexible start and finish times and part-time arrangements, available upon request

• Hybrid working - choose to work from home, the Kubrick office, or your clients' office (if applicable)

• Pension matching up to 5%

• Unlimited mental health support through View email address on kubrickcareers.kubrickgroup.com, available 24/7 for you and eligible family members

• Financial wellbeing support

• Cycle to Work scheme, save up to 43% on a new bike through Evans Cycles

• Specsavers eye care vouchers

• Internal mobility and career development opportunities

• Recognition and reward programs

• Learning and development opportunities, including professional certifications

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Mental health, diversity and inclusion support

Diversity & Inclusion

We encourage applications from women and people from all underrepresented backgrounds in data and AI, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people who are neurodivergent.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, at any stage, for any reason, just let us know. We're here to support you.