Immediate start
Hybrid – Shoreham
About Focus GroupFocus Group is a £300m-revenue, 1,400-person technology services company backed by Hg Capital. Following our $1bn valuation in 2024, we're scaling rapidly and investing in AI to transform how we operate and how we serve our 30,000 SME customers.
The roleWe're looking for an experienced Interim Payroll Manager to join us on a fixed-term/contract basis while we recruit for a permanent hire. You'll be able to start immediately and hit the ground running, taking ownership of the end-to-end payroll function across our group of companies.
This is a hands-on role covering multi-entity payroll (predominantly CIPHR, with some Sage), managing a small payroll team, and acting as the go-to expert for payroll compliance and stakeholder queries during the interim period.
What you'll be doing- Managing end-to-end monthly payroll processing across the group, including starters, leavers, variable pay, absence pay and statutory payments
- Owning payroll compliance, statutory reporting (RTI/FPS) and liaison with HMRC and pension providers
- Managing payroll reconciliations and resolving discrepancies
- Overseeing pension auto-enrolment and deductions for employee benefits
- Providing day-to-day management and support to the payroll team
- Acting as escalation point for payroll queries from staff and managers
- Proven experience managing payroll for a similar-sized, multi-entity group
- Up-to-date knowledge of UK payroll legislation (SSP, NMW, statutory payments, NI thresholds)
- Experience with CIPHR and/or Sage payroll software
- Confidence to pick up an existing payroll function quickly and work independently from day one
- CIPP or equivalent qualification (desirable)
- PE-backed or group/holding company experience (desirable)
A great opportunity for an interim payroll professional to step into a fast-paced, growing business, with the autonomy to make an immediate impact. Hybrid working from our Shoreham office, on a fixed-term contract with a competitive day rate.
Let's connect. Let's grow.
Available immediately? Apply now.
Skills Required
- Proven experience managing payroll for a similar-sized, multi-entity group
- Current knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including SSP, NMW, statutory payments, and NI thresholds
- Experience with CIPHR and/or Sage payroll software
- Ability to quickly take ownership of an existing payroll function and work independently
- CIPP or equivalent payroll qualification
- Experience in a private-equity-backed or group/holding company environment
What We Do
Welcome to Focus Group. Established in 2003, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading independent providers of essential business technology. Here to take care of all your telecoms, IT and connectivity services. This means everything in one place, one point of contact and one bill to cover everything you need. SME or global enterprise business; public sector, service sector or charity…whatever your size, shape or service, we’ll take the time to get to know your business and deliver the technology to fit the bill. Our teams are experts in their field; passionate about finding the right solutions for you and committed to ensuring your business runs like clockwork. We’re by your side to keep your business phone system at the top of its game, your IT optimised, your data secure, your teams connected and your customers happy. At all times. Leaving you free to focus all your energy on the important stuff. Like growing your business. Telecoms | Mobile | Connectivity | IT solutions | Cyber security | Energy Let’s connect. Let’s grow.
