All answers / S09-B-claude-r1

S09-B | Claude | Observation 1

Saved-text evidence export. Original answer recorded 2026-10-19T22:10:43.262Z. This is a faithful export of the saved wording, not a product screenshot or native product export.

Collection: UK | Access: signed_in_free | Mode: Incognito; Manual; default Medium | Visible model: Sonnet 5.5 Medium

Exact question

Which recruiters can find a Head of Payroll for a hybrid role in Manchester overseeing UK and European payroll suppliers? We are changing providers and need an experienced permanent leader.

Complete saved answer

Based on what recruiters are advertising, these are the firms most active in senior payroll hiring in Manchester. This comes from a quick market scan, not a ranking or endorsement, and I can’t vouch for their candidate pools or fees.

Specialist payroll agencies

• The Portfolio Group  describes itself as the UK’s longest-established payroll specialist recruiter, covering key payroll roles across the UK and Ireland. It lists a Manchester office (0161 523 5585) and advertises roles involving in-country payroll vendors, which fits your supplier-oversight brief. [flippingbook](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/478805754/54/)

• JGA Recruitment  calls itself a specialist payroll and HR recruitment agency and has advertised roles managing an outsourced payroll provider across UK and international cycles. [overseasjobs](https://overseasjobs.com/job/details/30281989/hr-payroll-manager) [studentjob](https://studentjob.co.uk/vacancies/5498769-payroll-specialist)

Large finance recruiters with Manchester practices

• Hays  (Manchester office, Piccadilly Plaza) has advertised a hybrid, permanent Senior Head of Payroll role in Manchester. It was listed at around £80,000, with up to 2 days a week remote. It has also placed payroll roles involving implementations, migrations and system reviews, which is relevant to a provider change. [dwp](https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/16962713?lang_code=en) [dwp](https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/15878085?lang_code=en)

• Robert Walters  has advertised a permanent Head of Payroll role in Manchester City Centre and also recruits for multi-country EMEA payroll roles working with payroll vendors. [robertwalters](https://robertwalters.co.uk/accountancyfinance/jobs/financemanager/1828433-head-of-payroll.html) [robertwalters](https://robertwalters.co.uk/accountancyfinance/jobs/partqualifiedaccountant/1811923-senior-payroll-specialist.html)

• Michael Page  has advertised a permanent, hybrid Head of Payroll role in Greater Manchester, though that one was public sector. [page](https://manufacturing.page.com/job-detail/head-payroll/ref/jn-022025-6667818)

• Investigo  has advertised a Manchester Head of Payroll role at £80–90k plus bonus, covering global payroll. [investigo](https://investigo.co.uk/job/head-of-payroll-3)

Also worth a call:

 Oakleaf Partnership, which describes itself as the UK’s largest independent HR recruitment consultancy and has advertised UK and international payroll roles. 

[personneltoday](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401663872/senior-payroll-specialist/)

Getting the best shortlist

• Brief them on the transition.  Say you are changing providers. Ask for candidates who have led a payroll vendor migration or tender, not just run steady-state payroll.

• Be specific on scope.  Name the countries, headcount, whether suppliers are outsourced bureaus or in-country vendors, and your target systems.

• Set the salary band early.  Advertised senior Manchester roles above ranged from the mid-£50ks in the public sector to £80–90k plus bonus in the private sector. Your band will decide who responds.

• Limit it to 2–3 agencies.  Run one specialist (Portfolio or JGA) alongside one or two of the larger firms, on clear terms, to avoid duplicate CV submissions.

I can draft a role brief or an outreach email to the agencies if you’d like.

Recorded source events

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

Integrity and context

SHA-256 of exact UTF-8 answer file: 56707c29be40f29e665cc3059d0c109df03e841450cb7676219e1dcd57d7a538

Open the exact saved TXT

Export prepared 2026-10-22T19:18:18.614183+00:00. Generated product statements are preserved as evidence, not independently adopted capability claims. See the detailed report for actual collection conditions and capture limits.