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.
