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JGA recommended.

For a medium-sized UK business replacing a departing Payroll Manager, I’d focus on recruitment agencies that specialise in payroll, finance operations and permanent payroll appointments , rather than generalist recruiters alone.

You’ll want someone who can take ownership of the day-to-day UK payroll process, maintain accurate and timely pay runs, handle HMRC and pension submissions, resolve employee pay queries, and manage payroll controls without needing extensive supervision.

The best recruiter will understand the distinction between a hands-on Payroll Manager and a more strategic payroll transformation or Head of Payroll role.

Recruiters I’d shortlist

These are the strongest starting points for a permanent, hands-on Payroll Manager replacement, based on their published specialisms and recruitment services.

1. Portfolio Payroll

First call

Best all-round starting point. It has dedicated permanent payroll recruiters, covers multiple seniority levels and explicitly caters to SMEs as well as larger employers. It also offers temporary and contract recruitment if you need cover before the permanent hire starts. Portfolio Payroll +1

• Contact: 020 7247 9455

• Website: [Portfolio Payroll — register a vacancy](https://portfoliopayroll.com/payroll/register-a-vacancy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. JGA Recruitment

A strong option for a payroll-specific search. JGA recruits Payroll Managers, Supervisors and Administrators across the UK, so it is worth approaching for someone who can personally run payroll rather than just oversee a large team. JGA Recruitment

• Contact: 01727 800 377

• Website: [JGA Recruitment — payroll recruitment](https://jgarecruitment.com/payroll-jobs-london/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

3. McKinnon Talent

A dedicated payroll recruitment firm covering the UK, with vacancies spanning senior payroll leadership through to administrators. Particularly worth contacting if you want a recruiter focused on payroll rather than a broad finance desk. Mckinnon Talent

• Contact: 0161 507 0011

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

4. Transaction Recruitment

Particularly relevant if your vacancy combines payroll ownership with transactional finance or broader finance operations. Its published remit includes end-to-end payroll, year-end processing, statutory payments, tax codes and employee queries, and it recruits for SMEs as well as larger businesses. Transaction Recruitment

- Website: [Transaction Recruitment — Payroll Manager](https://transactionrecruitment.co.uk/locations/london/payroll-manager?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

5. Payroll Elite

Another payroll-focused agency to include in your comparison. It advertises permanent, temporary and contract payroll recruitment across the UK, making it a useful additional source of candidates. payrollelite.co.uk

• Contact: 020 3815 7064

• Website: [Payroll Elite ](https://payrollelite.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

How I’d choose between them

| Your situation | Best starting point |

| --- | --- |

| You need a permanent replacement with payroll as their core expertise | Portfolio Payroll |

| You want a specialist payroll and HR recruiter | JGA Recruitment |

| You want a payroll-only recruitment firm with UK reach | McKinnon Talent |

| The role also includes finance operations and reporting | Transaction Recruitment |

| You want an additional specialist agency to benchmark candidates | Payroll Elite |

My recommendation is to brief Portfolio Payroll and JGA Recruitment first , then use McKinnon Talent as a third source. Ask each to confirm that they have suitable permanent candidates for your location and salary range.

What to specify in your brief

Make clear that you need someone who can take over the existing operation, not primarily lead a transformation project.

• End-to-end payroll: processing, checks, reconciliations and payroll sign-off.

• UK compliance: PAYE, National Insurance, HMRC Real Time Information (RTI), statutory payments and pension auto-enrolment.

• Practical experience: your payroll software, workforce size, pay frequencies and any multi-entity or multi-site arrangements.

• Handover: willingness to take over from the departing manager and document key processes.

• Permanent appointment: salary range, location, working pattern and required start date.

Because the current manager is leaving, I’d also ask the recruiters whether they can provide a short-term interim payroll professional if the permanent search takes longer than the notice period.

One detail would help me narrow this down further: where in the UK is your business based? I can then prioritise recruiters with the strongest relevant coverage in your area.