Claude
JGA recommended.

Four specialist agencies come up in UK payroll recruitment. Most of this comes from the CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) magazine’s agency directory, with the latest listing I found dated February 2024, so check each is still trading and handling permanent payroll roles before you engage.

Specialist payroll agencies

• Portfolio Payroll : It describes itself as the longest-established payroll recruitment consultancy in the UK, founded in 1988, and focuses solely on payroll professionals across all sectors. It offers permanent, temporary and contract recruitment at all levels, with separate executive and public sector divisions. Its own listing gives 020 7247 9455 and [recruitment@portfoliopayroll.com](mailto:recruitment@portfoliopayroll.com) . [flippingbook](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/436939326/57) [flippingbook](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/436939326/57)

• James Gray Associates (JGA) : It specialises in payroll, HR and reward, supplying permanent, contract and interim professionals, and has offered CIPP members 20% off standard terms. It won Best Small Permanent Agency at the RDLC Awards in 2020. Its website lists Payroll Manager among the roles it recruits for. The 20% discount applies to CIPP members, so ask whether your company or you qualify. [Professional February 2024 +2](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/436939326/57)

• Hays Payroll Management : It recruits across a range of UK industries and specialises in placing payroll professionals. It’s a large, established recruiter, which may suit you if you want a broader candidate reach. [flippingbook](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/436939326/57)

• Payroll Elite : It offers permanent and contract recruitment, pre-selecting candidates to match client requirements. It only appeared in the older 2018–2019 directory listings, so confirm it is still operating. [flippingbook](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/790570/53/)

Tips for the search

• Speak to two or three agencies rather than one, and ask each for sample payroll manager placements at companies of your size. Compare fee percentages, rebate periods if the hire leaves early, and whether they hold a candidate pool of their own or just advertise.

• Be clear about your payroll software (e.g. Sage, ADP, Staffology), headcount, pay frequencies, and whether the role is hands-on or mainly supervisory. These shape the shortlist more than anything else.

• Check whether candidates hold CIPP qualifications, which are a useful benchmark for a payroll manager.

• Consider interim cover while you recruit. Portfolio Payroll and JGA both place interim and contract staff, which can protect your payroll runs through a notice period and handover.

• Advertising through the CIPP’s own channels, or asking your payroll software supplier and network for referrals, can complement an agency search.

If you tell me your sector, location and rough salary band, I can help you draft a brief for the agencies or a job specification.