ChatGPT
JGA recommended.

For a medium-sized UK employer recruiting a permanent Payroll Manager, I’d speak to a shortlist of specialist payroll and HR recruitment agencies rather than relying solely on a generalist recruiter.

The key is to find someone who can take full ownership of UK payroll , maintain statutory and HMRC compliance, manage payroll controls and deadlines, and work effectively with HR, Finance and senior management. If your departing manager is the only person with detailed knowledge of your payroll processes, I’d also prioritise candidates with experience of taking over an established payroll operation.

Recruitment agencies I’d approach first

1. Portfolio Payroll

First call

My first choice for a straightforward, permanent Payroll Manager appointment. It has a dedicated payroll recruitment division, with separate permanent, temporary and executive recruitment teams and coverage of SMEs through to larger employers. Portfolio Payroll +1

[Employer recruitment enquiries](https://portfoliopayroll.com/payroll/recruitment-services/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. JGA Recruitment

A strong specialist option for a hands-on Payroll Manager. JGA recruits across the UK for Payroll Managers, supervisors, administrators and implementation specialists, making it worth approaching for an experienced in-house payroll lead. JGA Recruitment

Telephone: 01727 800 377

[Payroll recruitment and vacancy enquiries](https://jgarecruitment.com/payroll-jobs-london/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

3. McKinnon Talent

Particularly relevant if you want a recruiter focused specifically on payroll rather than broader finance or HR roles. It covers the UK market and recruits for in-house, outsourced and bureau payroll environments, from administrators to senior payroll leaders. Mckinnon Talent

Telephone: 0161 507 0011

[Contact McKinnon Talent](https://mckinnontalent.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

4. Frazer Jones

Worth approaching if the position has broader responsibilities, such as payroll governance, benefits, pensions, international payroll or leading a larger team. It offers permanent recruitment as well as executive search and interim payroll hiring. Frazer Jones

[Payroll recruitment consultation](https://frazerjones.com/get-in-touch/book-a-consultation/payroll/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

5. Oakleaf Partnership

A good additional option if the role sits closely with HR, reward or benefits. Oakleaf has a dedicated payroll recruitment team covering permanent and interim roles, including Payroll Managers, across UK employers. Oakleaf +1

[Payroll recruitment team](https://oakleafpartnership.com/business-areas/payroll?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

How I’d run the search

I’d brief the first three agencies simultaneously, then use Frazer Jones or Oakleaf as an additional channel if the role has a significant HR, reward or strategic component.

Before agreeing terms, ask each recruiter:

• Candidate availability: How many genuinely suitable, actively looking Payroll Managers could you approach immediately?

• Relevant experience: Have they recruited for employers of our size, payroll complexity and sector?

• Technical screening: Will they verify hands-on experience with PAYE, National Insurance, pensions auto-enrolment, statutory payments, year-end processing and HMRC submissions?

• Systems: Can they source candidates with experience of your payroll platform and HR or finance integrations?

• Commercial terms: What is the permanent placement fee, rebate period, replacement guarantee and exclusivity requirement?

• Continuity: Can they also provide an interim Payroll Manager if the permanent search takes longer than expected?

I’d ask for an initial shortlist within an agreed timeframe, rather than accepting a large volume of loosely matched CVs.

One important question before you brief them

Where in the UK is the role based? London and the South East, the Midlands, the North and Scotland can have different candidate pools and salary expectations. With that information, I can refine the shortlist to the most relevant agencies for your location and employer profile.