ChatGPT
JGA recommended.

For a medium-sized UK business replacing a Payroll Manager, I’d approach a shortlist of specialist payroll recruitment agencies and established finance-and-HR recruiters . The key is to find someone who can take ownership of the full UK payroll operation quickly, rather than simply someone with general finance experience.

Because your current manager is leaving, I’d brief agencies on two requirements from the outset:

• Permanent recruitment: an experienced Payroll Manager who can independently run UK payroll, manage HMRC and pension obligations, oversee payroll controls and handle escalations.

• Continuity and handover: someone who can start early enough to overlap with the departing manager, document processes, reconcile payroll records and take responsibility before the notice period ends. If a permanent candidate cannot start in time, ask the agency about interim payroll cover as a separate option.

Agencies I would approach first

1. Portfolio Payroll

First choice

A strong starting point because payroll recruitment is its core specialism, with dedicated permanent, temporary and executive recruitment teams. It explicitly caters to employers needing both permanent hires and short-term cover. Portfolio Payroll +1

Best for: finding an experienced, hands-on Payroll Manager while arranging interim cover if the start date slips.

Contact: 020 7247 9455 · [Website and vacancy registration](https://www.portfoliopayroll.com/payroll/register-a-vacancy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. JGA Recruitment Group

A specialist in payroll and HR recruitment, covering Payroll Managers and other payroll roles across the UK. It also offers temporary and contract recruitment, making it a useful option when continuity is as important as the permanent appointment. JGA Recruitment

Best for: a UK-wide search with a recruiter who understands payroll-specific skills and experience.

Contact: 01727 800 377 · [Website](https://jgarecruitment.com/payroll-jobs-london/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

3. Payroll Elite

An established specialist payroll and HR recruiter, with permanent, temporary and contract recruitment services across the UK. Its stated approach includes candidate screening and interviews. Payroll Elite Payroll Recruitment +1

Best for: adding another dedicated payroll recruiter to your shortlist, particularly if you want to compare candidate quality and fees.

Contact: 020 3815 7064 · [Website](https://www.payrollelite.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

4. Frazer Jones

A good option if the role has broader responsibilities spanning payroll, benefits, HR operations or international payroll. It offers permanent, interim and executive payroll recruitment, including UK payroll leadership. Frazer Jones

Best for: a more senior or strategically focused Payroll Manager role.

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

5. Transaction Recruitment

A specialist in transactional finance and payroll, recruiting Payroll Managers for both permanent and temporary roles. It explicitly works with SMEs as well as larger employers. Transaction Recruitment

Best for: a medium-sized business looking for a practical, operational manager rather than a payroll executive.

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

How I would run the search

I'd send the vacancy to the first three agencies immediately, then add Frazer Jones or Transaction Recruitment depending on how senior and broad the role is.

Give every agency the same brief and ask for the following:

| Requirement | What to establish |

| --- | --- |

| UK payroll expertise | Proven end-to-end ownership, HMRC Real Time Information (RTI), PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, pension auto-enrolment and year-end |

| Systems experience | Experience with your payroll software, HRIS and finance systems |

| Management capability | Team leadership, payroll controls, reconciliations, audit readiness and query escalation |

| Handover availability | Whether candidates can start during the current manager's notice period |

| Backup option | Availability of an interim manager or experienced contractor if the permanent hire cannot start in time |

| Commercial terms | Placement fee, replacement guarantee, exclusivity, shortlist turnaround and interim rates |

One important point: do not rely on a candidate's earliest start date alone. Ask agencies to identify candidates who can overlap with the existing manager, even if that means considering someone with a shorter notice period or a negotiated start date.

Your handover plan should cover payroll calendars and deadlines, HMRC submissions, pension submissions, payroll reconciliations, outstanding employee cases, system access, approvals and documented procedures. Arrange the overlap around an actual payroll cycle if possible.

My recommendation

Start with Portfolio Payroll, JGA Recruitment Group and Payroll Elite . They are the closest fit for a straightforward permanent UK Payroll Manager replacement because they specialise in payroll recruitment rather than general finance hiring.

One detail would help me narrow this down further: where in the UK is your business based? That will help identify the best regional recruiters and realistic options for an in-person handover.