<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">We are partnering with a high-growth technology SME based in Manchester City Centre to appoint a commercially astute Finance Director.</p><p>This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on finance leader to work closely with the CEO and leadership team, taking ownership of the finance function and playing a key role in the company's next phase of growth.</p><p>The business is looking for someone who can combine strong financial control with genuine commercial insight, helping to shape strategy, improve performance and build the financial infrastructure needed to scale successfully. This is a role for someone who wants to influence the direction of a business, rather than simply report on its performance.</p><h3>Key Responsibilities</h3><ul data-spread="false"><li><p><strong>Strategic Leadership:</strong> Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop and deliver the company's growth strategy, providing financial insight to support key business decisions.</p></li><li><p><strong>Financial Planning & Analysis:</strong> Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow modelling and financial planning, ensuring the business has clear visibility of performance and future requirements.</p></li><li><p><strong>Commercial Finance:</strong> Provide insight into revenue performance, margins, pricing, customer profitability and investment opportunities, identifying ways to improve profitability and support sustainable growth.</p></li><li><p><strong>Financial Control & Reporting:</strong> Own the production of accurate and timely management accounts, statutory reporting and year-end processes, ensuring robust financial controls as the business scales.</p></li><li><p><strong>Cash Flow & Working Capital:</strong> Take ownership of cash flow forecasting, working capital management and financial planning to support growth and protect the company's financial position.</p></li><li><p><strong>Business Performance:</strong> Establish meaningful KPIs and reporting frameworks, translating financial data into actionable insight for the leadership team.</p></li><li><p><strong>Scaling the Business:</strong> Develop and improve financial systems, processes and controls to accommodate growth, enhance efficiency and support informed decision-making.</p></li><li><p><strong>Risk & Compliance:</strong> Ensure appropriate financial governance and compliance with statutory, tax and accounting requirements.</p></li><li><p><strong>Team Leadership:</strong> Lead and develop the finance function, building the capability, processes and infrastructure required to support the company's continued expansion.</p></li></ul><h3>Candidate Profile</h3><ul data-spread="false"><li><p>ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, with strong post-qualification experience.</p></li><li><p>Experience in a senior finance role within an SME</p></li><li><p>Commercially minded, with the ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on with the detail.</p></li><li><p>Proven experience supporting business growth, improving financial performance and strengthening financial processes.</p></li><li><p>Strong technical grounding across management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and financial controls.</p></li><li><p>Comfortable working in an evolving environment where priorities can change and processes may need to be built or refined.</p></li><li><p>Confident partnering with a CEO and influencing commercial decisions at board level.</p></li><li><p>A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to balance immediate operational requirements with longer-term strategic objectives.</p></li><li><p>A natural business partner who can challenge constructively, identify opportunities and help drive performance.</p></li></ul><h3>The Opportunity</h3><p>This is an opportunity to join an ambitious, high-growth business in Manchester City Centre, taking a pivotal role in shaping its financial strategy and helping build the foundations for its next stage of growth.</p><p>Candidates must be comfortable with 4 days on site in Manchester city centre. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/Q2F0aGVyaW5lLkhlbnJ5LjQyMTUzLjEwOTIzQHJoaS5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20.gif">
<p><strong>Payroll Manager | Preston | Fully onsite | Up to £60,000</strong></p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Robert Half is partnering with a well-established business in the Preston area to recruit a Payroll Manager to lead its payroll function across a large, multi-site operation.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Operating across several sectors, including distribution, manufacturing and retail, the business offers a varied environment and an opportunity to take ownership of a complex payroll function.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Reporting to the Group Finance Director, you'll lead an established payroll team, overseeing both internal group payrolls and an external payroll bureau service supporting independent businesses.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>The Role</strong></p><ul data-spread="false"><li>Oversee the end-to-end processing of multiple payrolls across the group, ensuring the accurate and timely payment of salaries, bonuses and deductions.</li><li>Manage payroll compliance, keeping up to date with HMRC legislation, statutory reporting and employment-related requirements.</li><li>Oversee pension contributions, reconciliations and associated reporting.</li><li>Manage RTI submissions, P60s, P11Ds and other statutory returns, alongside requirements such as Gender Pay Gap reporting.</li><li>Review and post payroll journals, reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts and ensure accurate financial records.</li><li>Produce payroll cost reports and analysis to support budgeting, forecasting and wider financial planning.</li><li>Act as the main point of contact for payroll-related audit queries, working with internal and external auditors.</li><li>Manage post-payroll queries, resolving issues efficiently and maintaining effective communication with employees and stakeholders.</li><li>Lead, develop and support the payroll team, overseeing performance, training and day-to-day operations.</li><li>Support the implementation of legislative changes, new payroll schemes and wider finance and HR projects.</li><li>Oversee the payroll bureau service, ensuring a consistent and reliable service for external clients.</li></ul><p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>About You</strong></p><ul data-spread="false"><li>Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll within a complex or multi-payroll environment.</li><li>Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and pension schemes.</li><li>Previous experience leading, managing or developing a payroll team.</li><li>Good understanding of payroll journals, reconciliations and payroll-related financial reporting.</li><li>Confident using payroll software and Microsoft Excel.</li><li>Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines.</li><li>A confident communicator, comfortable working with finance, HR and operational stakeholders.</li><li>CIPP qualified, or working towards a relevant payroll qualification, would be advantageous.</li></ul><p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>The Opportunity</strong></p><p class="isSelectedEnd">This is an opportunity to take ownership of a broad payroll function within an established business, combining operational delivery, team leadership, technical compliance and financial reporting.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">You'll have direct exposure to senior finance leadership and the opportunity to influence payroll processes across a varied group structure.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Salary & Benefits</strong></p><ul data-spread="false"><li>Salary up to £60,000, depending on experience.</li><li>30 days' annual leave, including bank holidays.</li><li>Enhanced pension and life insurance.</li><li>Free onsite parking.</li></ul><p>If you're an experienced payroll professional looking for a role with genuine ownership, team leadership and responsibility across a varied business, I'd be interested in speaking with you. Please get in touch for a confidential discussion.</p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/S2lyc3R5LldvcmRlbi4wOTI0OC4xMDkyM0ByaGkuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t.gif">