ChatGPT: both observations

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.

For a medium-sized UK business replacing a departing Payroll Manager, I’d start with specialist payroll recruiters rather than a generalist recruitment agency . You need someone who can take ownership of the day-to-day UK payroll operation permanently, maintain compliance and ensure employees continue to be paid accurately and on time.

These are the recruiters I’d shortlist. They offer relevant payroll recruitment services, including permanent placements, and several specifically cater to SMEs. Portfolio Payroll +3

Recommended recruiters

1. Portfolio Payroll

Best starting point

A dedicated payroll recruiter covering permanent, temporary and executive appointments. They interview candidates before submitting them and explicitly support SMEs as well as larger organisations. A strong first call for a hands-on replacement. Portfolio Payroll +1

London: 020 7247 9455

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

2. JGA Recruitment

A payroll and HR specialist recruiting Payroll Managers, Payroll Supervisors and Administrators across the UK. Worth approaching if you need a recruiter who understands the distinction between managing the payroll function and simply processing payroll transactions. JGA Recruitment +1

Harpenden: 01727 800 377

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

3. McKinnon Talent

A payroll-only recruitment business covering roles from administrators through to senior leadership. It recruits across in-house payroll, outsourced providers and payroll bureaux, making it useful for finding someone with experience in a business similar to yours. Mckinnon Talent +1

Telephone: 0161 507 0011

[Website and register a vacancy](https://www.mckinnontalent.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

4. Payroll Elite

An established payroll and HR recruitment specialist serving employers across the UK. Its permanent recruitment offering and candidate vetting make it another relevant option for a straightforward replacement hire. Payroll Elite Payroll Recruitment +1

London: 020 3815 7064

[Website and recruitment services](https://www.payrollelite.co.uk/About-Us.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

5. Oakleaf Partnership

A good alternative if payroll sits within a wider HR, reward or shared-services function. Its payroll team recruits permanent and interim professionals at manager level and above, with UK-wide coverage. Oakleaf +1

Telephone: 020 7220 7030

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

What I would ask recruiters to find

For your situation, I would brief them on a permanent, hands-on UK Payroll Manager who can take responsibility for:

• End-to-end payroll processing, including monthly or weekly pay runs and payroll reconciliations.

• HMRC submissions, PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and year-end reporting.

• Workplace pensions and auto-enrolment.

• Starters, leavers, employee changes and payroll queries.

• Your existing payroll software and liaison with HR and Finance.

• A structured handover from the departing manager, if time permits.

Make clear whether this is a sole-charge role (one person runs payroll independently) or whether the manager will lead a payroll team. That distinction will affect the candidates and salary level the recruiters recommend.

My recommendation

Contact Portfolio Payroll, JGA Recruitment and McKinnon Talent first. Ask each for a small, relevant shortlist of candidates with proven UK payroll experience, their fee terms, and the likely time to fill the vacancy. If the outgoing manager leaves before a permanent hire can start, ask whether they can also supply interim cover.

One question that would help me narrow this down further: where in the UK is the business based? I can then prioritise recruiters with the strongest coverage for your location and likely candidate pool.