ChatGPT
JGA recommended.

For a permanent Senior Payroll Specialist joining your existing small team, I’d prioritise recruitment agencies that specialise in UK payroll , rather than general finance recruiters. You need someone who can take ownership of the end-to-end payroll cycle, resolve employee queries confidently, understand statutory requirements and work independently while supporting the wider team.

Assuming you’re recruiting in or around London, these are the agencies I’d approach first. Several recruit nationally across the UK, too.

My top recruitment agency shortlist

1. Portfolio Payroll

First choice

A dedicated payroll recruitment specialist offering permanent, temporary and senior-level recruitment. Its permanent hiring team focuses on payroll knowledge, candidate assessment and finding the right fit for the business. Portfolio Payroll +1

Why it fits: Best starting point for a hands-on Senior Payroll Specialist who will own payroll processing and day-to-day queries.

London: 020 7247 9455

[Website and vacancy registration](https://www.theportfoliogroup.com/payroll/recruitment-services/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. JGA Recruitment

A payroll and HR recruitment specialist with UK-wide coverage and consultants experienced in payroll hiring across multiple sectors. JGA Recruitment +1

Why it fits: A good option for a permanent hire where you need a recruiter who understands the difference between a payroll administrator and a genuinely experienced, autonomous specialist.

Harpenden: 01727 800 377

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

3. Payroll Elite

A long-established specialist in payroll and HR recruitment, serving employers across the public and private sectors, with permanent and temporary hiring services. Payroll Elite Payroll Recruitment +1

Why it fits: Worth approaching for candidates with established UK payroll expertise and practical experience handling payroll-related queries.

London: 020 3815 7064

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

4. Oakleaf Partnership

Has a dedicated payroll recruitment division covering permanent and interim positions, from payroll administrators to senior payroll leadership, with UK-wide and international reach. Oakleaf +1

Why it fits: Particularly worth considering if your specialist needs to work closely with HR, Finance, benefits or an outsourced payroll provider.

London: 020 7220 7030

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

5. Michael Page

A broader finance recruitment agency that has advertised permanent Senior Payroll Specialist roles involving end-to-end UK payroll, employee queries, compliance and collaboration with HR and Finance.

Why it fits: A useful additional channel if you want a wider candidate pool or someone with corporate payroll systems and process-improvement experience.

[Senior Payroll Specialist recruitment](https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

What I would ask each agency to deliver

For your small existing team, I would brief agencies on the following essentials:

• End-to-end UK payroll ownership: Regular payroll runs, starters and leavers, salary changes, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and statutory payments.

• Employee query management: Confidently investigate discrepancies, explain payslips and resolve sensitive payroll questions.

• Autonomy and teamwork: Able to manage their own workload and deadlines while collaborating with the existing payroll team.

• Compliance and accuracy: Strong HMRC knowledge, reconciliations, year-end processing and appropriate handling of confidential data.

• Relevant systems experience: Experience with your payroll software and any outsourced payroll provider, if applicable.

I would also ask for candidates who have worked in a similarly sized team, rather than only those from large payroll departments where responsibilities are heavily divided.

My recommendation

Start with Portfolio Payroll, JGA Recruitment and Payroll Elite . They are the most directly aligned with your need for a specialist payroll hire. Add Oakleaf Partnership and Michael Page to broaden the shortlist.

Ask all three initial agencies to confirm their permanent-placement fee, replacement guarantee, expected time to shortlist and how they technically assess UK payroll knowledge before sending CVs.

One question that would help me narrow this down: where is the role based, and is it office-based, hybrid or fully remote? That will help identify the most relevant recruiters and candidate market.