Payroll Manager - Ireland

Payroll Manager (Temporary – 9-Month Fixed-Term Contract)
Location: Hybrid – Dublin or Burnfoot, Ireland

This is a temporary 9-month fixed-term contract.

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management, governance, and delivery of payroll operations for Ireland, supporting a workforce of 3,000+ employees across multiple legal entities, payroll groups, and employee populations. The role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and strong partnership with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, and external payroll providers.

The successful candidate will possess extensive knowledge of Irish payroll legislation, Revenue requirements, pension administration, statutory payments, and payroll controls, with significant experience using Sage Payroll systems.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Manage and oversee the accurate and timely processing of monthly, fortnightly, and weekly payrolls for 3,000+ employees.
• Ensure all payroll activities are completed in accordance with Irish legislation, company policies, and internal controls.
• Validate payroll calculations including: 
  • Salary payments
  • Overtime
  • Bonuses and commissions
  • Shift allowances
  • Benefit-in-Kind (BIK)
  • Pension contributions
  • Salary sacrifice arrangements
  • Statutory deductions
• Review and approve payroll outputs prior to final transmission.
• Ensure accurate processing of new hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, and leave-related payments.

Compliance & Governance

• Act as the subject matter expert for Irish payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with: 
  • Revenue PAYE Modernisation requirements
  • Income Tax regulations
  • Universal Social Charge (USC)
  • Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
  • Maternity, Paternity, Parent's and Adoptive Leave regulations
  • Pension auto-enrolment requirements where applicable
• Manage payroll audits and support internal and external audit requests.
• Maintain robust payroll controls, documentation, and standard operating procedures.

Payroll Systems & Process Improvement

• Serve as the primary administrator and payroll lead for Sage Payroll.
• Ensure payroll system integrity, controls, and data accuracy.
• Lead system enhancements, upgrades, testing, and implementation activities.
• Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.
• Collaborate with HRIS, Finance, and Technology teams on payroll integrations and process optimization.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, Treasury, and business leadership teams.
• Provide expert payroll guidance and support to managers and employees.
• Manage relationships with external payroll vendors, Revenue authorities, pension providers, and auditors.
• Communicate payroll changes, compliance updates, and process improvements effectively across the organization.

Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare payroll reconciliations and month-end reports.
• Support Finance with payroll accounting, accruals, and statutory reporting.
• Deliver payroll metrics, KPIs, and management reporting.
• Analyze payroll trends and identify risks, discrepancies, or opportunities for improvement.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop payroll specialists and payroll administrators where applicable.
• Establish performance standards and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Foster a culture of compliance, continuous improvement, and customer service excellence.

 Required Qualifications

• Payroll certification but not necessary. Experience more required.
• Minimum 7 years of Irish payroll experience, including at least 3 years in a payroll leadership role.
• Proven experience managing payroll for 3,000+ employees in Ireland.
• Extensive experience with Sage Payroll.
• Strong knowledge of Irish payroll legislation and Revenue requirements.
• Experience managing payroll audits and compliance reviews.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working within multinational and matrix organizations preferred.

 Key Skills & Competencies

• Expert knowledge of Irish Payroll and Revenue compliance
• Sage Payroll expertise
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Leadership and people management
• Process improvement mindset
• Project management capability
• Excellent communication skills
• Confidentiality and professional integrity

 Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting multinational organizations.
• Exposure to EMEA payroll environments.
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, or UKG.
• Experience managing payroll transitions, outsourcing relationships, or payroll transformation projects.
• Knowledge of pension administration and payroll accounting processes.

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