All answers / S07-D-gemini-r1

S07-D | Gemini | Observation 1

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Exact question

Our Payroll Manager has handed in their notice at our medium-sized UK business. We need an agency to find a permanent replacement who can run UK payroll and complete a handover before the current manager leaves. Which agencies should we approach?

Complete saved answer

Replacing a Payroll Manager within a tight timeframe requires an agency that has a deep, pre-screened talent pool and can act quickly to ensure a handover period.

Recommended Recruitment Agencies

1. Specialist Payroll Agencies (Best First Option)

Niche agencies are usually the fastest option because they focus solely on payroll talent and maintain active pools of candidates available on short notice:

Portfolio Payroll: The largest dedicated payroll recruiter in the UK. They specialize exclusively in payroll roles across all levels (from Payroll Administrators to Head of Payroll) and cater specifically to medium-to-large UK employers.

JGA Recruitment Group: A leading UK specialist in Payroll and HR recruitment. They host  The Payroll Podcast  and are heavily networked within CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) circles.

2. General Finance & HR Agencies (Solid Alternatives)

If you already have existing relationships with generalist finance recruiters, these agencies have strong local payroll divisions across the UK:

Hays (Payroll Division):  Offers wide UK coverage and can quickly supply both interim cover and permanent candidates.

Robert Half:  Highly effective for mid-market businesses. They have a strong finance/payroll focus and can source candidates who understand UK statutory compliance (PAYE, auto-enrolment, RTI, NICs).

Michael Page / Page Personnel:  Excellent for mid-to-senior payroll management hires.

Strategic Strategy for a Seamless Handover

Because standard notice periods for payroll managers range from  1 to 3 months , recruiting a permanent successor who can also complete a full handover before your current manager leaves is often difficult. Consider the following approach:

Hire an Interim/Contract Payroll Manager Immediately

Ask the agency to provide a  day-rate contractor or short-term interim  within 3–5 days.

The interim can shadow your departing manager, document processes, and run payroll uninterrupted while you conduct a thorough permanent search without rushing.

Use a Dual Brief (Interim-to-Perm)

Some contractors are open to taking on permanent roles if the fit is right. Brief the agency to source candidates who are open to temp-to-perm or interim cover during the handover period.

Key Briefing Checklist for the Agency

When you contact the chosen agency, give them clear specifications to speed up candidate matching:

Software Expertise:  Specify your exact payroll software (e.g., Sage, ADP, PayFit, Iris, Workday, SD Worx).

Payroll Complexity:  Note employee headcount, pay frequencies (monthly/weekly), variable pay elements (overtime, commissions, benefits in kind), and pension schemes.

Qualifications:  State whether CIPP qualification (e.g., Foundation Degree or Diploma) is required or optional.

Work Model:  State whether the position is hybrid, full-time office, or fully remote.

Would you like advice on structuring an interim-to-permanent arrangement, or assistance drafting the job brief for the agency?

Recorded source events

Capture status: Complete source record. Supporting citations, provider links and retrieved results are separate.

• supporting_citation
  The Portfolio Group Expert Payroll Recruitment Agency - The Portfolio Group “ The largest specialist payroll recruiter in the UK. Supporting the payroll sector since 1988, Portfolio Payroll is the market-leading recruitment agency for pa...”
  S07-D-gemini-r1-C1
• supporting_citation
  jgarecruitment.com Welcome to JGA Payroll and HR Recruitment - JGA Recruitment “A Specialist Payroll and HR Recruitment Agency. Payroll & HR. Recruitment. At JGA Recruitment, we provide a bespoke recruitment service designed to meet your sp...”
  S07-D-gemini-r1-C2
• supporting_citation
  jgarecruitment.com Welcome to JGA Payroll and HR Recruitment - JGA Recruitment “Our dedication to diversity, inclusion, and ethical standards creates a path of sustainable growth through accountability, open communication, and unwavering tr...”
  S07-D-gemini-r1-C3

Integrity and context

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