Payroll Manager

Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment are thrilled to be partnering with Dobbies Garden Centres, in recruiting a new Payroll Manager to be based at their HQ in Lasswade, Midlothian.

Business Overview:

Dobbies was founded in 1865 by James Dobbie and is headquartered near Edinburgh. Dobbies shares its passion for gardens and plants through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services.

Dobbies champions garden living all-year-round and offers a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, the Payroll Manager will lead the accurate, timely and compliant delivery of payroll across the company (approx. 3000+ employees). The role partners with People, Finance and operational leaders, leads the payroll team and ensures colleagues receive a reliable payroll service.

This is an integral leadership role that requires experience in high-level stakeholder interaction and a strong background in Reward & Benefits.

Key Role Responsibilities:

Payroll delivery & control

• Own the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring reporting, processing, payments and statutory submissions are accurate and completed to deadline
• Maintain robust controls, reconciliations, approvals, audit trails and segregation of duties
• Partner with Finance to support payroll accounting, forecasting, reconciliations and year-end requirements

Reward & benefits

• Develop and deliver the pay and reward roadmap in line with business priorities, colleague needs and affordability
• Lead annual pay review activity, including market benchmarking, job evaluation, salary structures, modelling, governance and implementation
• Monitor National Minimum Wage risk and carry out gender pay gap reporting
• Manage employee benefits and external provider relationships, including pensions, life assurance and income protection
• Work with HR to build clear reward communications that help colleagues understand and value their total reward package

Compliance, systems & data

• Ensure compliance with payroll, tax, pensions, benefits, data protection and employment legislation, working effectively with HMRC, pension providers and advisers
• Maintain accurate payroll procedures and documentation
• Own payroll system governance, coordinate testing and upgrades, and ensure integrations remain secure, controlled and fit for purpose
• Produce accurate management information and insight on pay, benefits, payroll performance, cost and risk
• Drive a prioritised programme of continuous improvement across processes, systems and colleague self-service

Leadership & service

• Lead, coach and develop the payroll team (3 direct reports), setting clear objectives and creating an inclusive, accountable and supportive working environment
• Deliver a best-in-class colleague service through dependable payroll delivery, clear service standards and timely resolution of issues
• Build trusted relationships with People, Finance, Store Operations and senior leaders
• Equip store colleagues with practical guidance to ensure accurate payroll compliance
• Handle sensitive personal and pay information with discretion, sound judgement and integrity

Key Person Criteria & Background:

Essential

• Significant experience managing high-volume payrolls
• Strong working knowledge of PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, pensions and National Minimum Wage
• Experience of pay benchmarking, annual salary reviews and employee benefits
• Proven people leadership, with the ability to coach and develop
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Attention to detail and the ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Desirable

• CIPP qualification, or equivalent professional payroll or reward accreditation
• Experience in a fast-paced multi-site payroll environment
• Experience delivering payroll transformation, system implementation or automation

How to Apply:

This search is being conducted in confidence on behalf of Dobbies Garden Centres.

If you’re experienced within a similar role or are ready for that next step and seeking an opportunity where you can make a real impact in an integral leadership and hands on Payroll role — we’d love to hear from you.

Please click apply or reach out directly with your CV & Covering Letter at [email protected] for a confidential conversation.