ChatGPT: both observations

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.

For a medium-sized UK employer replacing a Payroll Manager, I’d start with specialist payroll recruitment agencies rather than generalist recruiters . You want someone who can take ownership of the full UK payroll cycle, HMRC compliance, year-end reporting, payroll controls and, if applicable, a payroll team and its systems.

My recommendation is to approach three specialist agencies first, then add one broader HR recruitment firm or national recruiter to widen the shortlist.

The recruitment agencies I’d contact first

1. Portfolio Payroll

First call

A strong starting point because payroll is its core specialism. It recruits for permanent payroll positions as well as executive, temporary and contract roles, with dedicated payroll consultants. That makes it a natural fit for a business replacing an established in-house Payroll Manager. Portfolio Payroll

• Best for: A hands-on Payroll Manager or a manager leading an established payroll team.

• Contact: 020 7247 9455

• Website: [Portfolio Payroll — recruitment services](https://www.portfoliopayroll.com/payroll/recruitment-services/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. JGA Recruitment

A specialist in payroll, HR and reward recruitment, with explicit coverage of Payroll Manager and Payroll Team Leader roles across the UK. Its dedicated payroll expertise makes it a good agency to brief on technical requirements and the specific payroll system you use. JGA Recruitment

• Best for: Finding an experienced UK payroll operator who can also manage people and processes.

• Contact: 01727 800 377

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

3. Frazer Jones

Particularly worth approaching if the role has a wider leadership remit, involves international payroll, or needs someone to improve payroll governance and processes. Its payroll practice covers permanent recruitment and executive search, as well as interim support. Frazer Jones +1

• Best for: A more senior Payroll Manager, Head of Payroll or a role combining payroll with wider HR operations.

• Contact: Ask for the UK payroll team via its [payroll recruitment page](https://www.frazerjones.com/payroll/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) .

4. Payroll Elite

Another payroll-focused agency to include in your shortlist, particularly if you want an additional specialist firm to test the candidate market. It recruits across payroll and HR in the UK. google.com +1

• Best for: An additional source of payroll-specific candidates.

• Contact: 020 3815 7064

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

5. Hays

A useful additional channel for national reach and a wider pool of permanent candidates. Hays explicitly recruits Payroll Managers and other payroll professionals, with recruitment coverage across the UK. Hays +1

• Best for: Broadening the shortlist, especially for regional or multi-site employers.

• Website: [Hays — payroll recruitment](https://www.hays.co.uk/jobs/accountancy-finance/payroll?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

How I’d run the search

I’d brief Portfolio Payroll, JGA and Frazer Jones at the same time, using the same job description and salary range so you can compare the quality of their response.

Ask each recruiter to confirm:

• Candidate availability: How many credible UK Payroll Manager candidates could they realistically present, and how quickly?

• Technical screening: Will they verify end-to-end UK payroll experience, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments, HMRC submissions and year-end responsibilities?

• Systems experience: Can they find candidates experienced in your payroll software, such as Sage, iTrent, ADP, UKG or Workday?

• Management capability: Have candidates led a team, managed outsourced providers or operated as the sole payroll lead?

• Fees and guarantees: What is the permanent placement fee, replacement guarantee, payment schedule and exclusivity requirement?

Because your incumbent has resigned, I’d also consider arranging temporary payroll cover if the next payroll deadline is approaching. That can protect payroll continuity while you recruit permanently.

One question that would help me narrow this down

What is your approximate employee headcount, and where is the role based?

That will help distinguish between the right candidate profile for a smaller, hands-on payroll operation and a larger, more complex payroll function, as well as identify the most relevant recruiters for your location.