Head of Payroll

Location: Elland Road Stadium, Leeds

Contract: Permanent

Hours of Work: 37.5 Hours Per Week

Application Deadline: 23/10/2026

What You’ll Be Doing

We are seeking an experienced and highly professional Head of Payroll to lead the Club's end-to-end payroll operation.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will be responsible for the accurate, compliant, and confidential delivery of payroll services across the Club and Foundation. Managing payrolls covering more than 2,000 employees and workers across multiple entities, you will oversee complex payroll processes, ensure full compliance with HMRC requirements, and maintain the highest standards of governance and control.

This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is confident managing complex payroll arrangements involving football staff, casual workers, senior executives, and operational employees.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Management

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of monthly payrolls across multiple PAYE entities.

• Oversee payroll processing for permanent staff, football staff, management teams, casual workers, and Foundation employees.

• Ensure all payroll activity is processed accurately and within deadlines.

• Supervise and support the Payroll Administrator.

Compensation & Football Payroll

• Manage complex football payroll arrangements.

• Administer and review:

  • Performance bonuses

  • Appearance payments

  • Contract settlements

  • Other football-related remuneration structures

   

• Ensure all payments are correctly processed and compliant with relevant regulations.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with:

  • HMRC regulations

  • PAYE requirements

  • National Insurance requirements

  • Pension auto-enrolment legislation

  • Statutory payment regulations

   

• Manage RTI submissions and associated reporting requirements.

• Administer statutory payments including:

  • SSP

  • SMP

  • SPP

  • Other statutory entitlements

   

• Maintain robust payroll controls and procedures.

Year-End Processes

• Manage payroll year-end activities including:

  • P60 production

  • Final FPS submissions

  • EPS notifications

  • Payroll reconciliations

   

• Lead the preparation, calculation, and submission of P11D benefits and expenses.

• Manage Payroll Settlement Agreement (PSA) reporting and submissions.

Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Finance to support:

  • Month-end reporting

  • Payroll reconciliations

  • Cost analysis

  • Audit requirements

   

• Partner with the People Team regarding:

  • Starters

  • Leavers

  • Contractual changes

  • Payroll onboarding processes

   

• Support Football Administration with payroll-related matters when required.

Confidentiality & Controls

• Maintain strict confidentiality across all payroll activities.

• Manage highly sensitive remuneration information.

• Ensure strong internal controls and risk management processes are in place.

• Handle employee queries professionally and confidentially.

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What We’re Looking For

You'll Have

Outstanding payroll knowledge and expertise.

Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

High levels of discretion and professionalism.

Excellent organisational and planning skills.

Ability to lead payroll activities within a complex organisation.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Experience

Significant experience managing a complex in-house payroll function.

Experience overseeing multiple payrolls and PAYE entities.

Experience processing payroll for large and diverse employee populations.

Experience managing payroll compliance, reporting, and governance requirements.

Experience preparing and submitting year-end payroll documentation.

Experience managing payroll audits and reconciliations.

Experience supervising or developing payroll team members.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

PAYE regulations.

National Insurance legislation.

Real Time Information (RTI) submissions.

Pension Auto-Enrolment.

Statutory payments.

Payroll Settlement Agreements (PSA).

P11D reporting.

Payroll year-end processes.

HMRC compliance requirements.

Integrated payroll systems and payroll software.

Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting.

Qualifications

CIPP Qualification, qualified by experience, or a relevant finance/business qualification.

Demonstrable payroll leadership expertise.

Desirable

Experience within professional sport, football, entertainment, or similarly complex organisations.

Experience processing football industry payrolls and remuneration arrangements.

Experience supporting large workforce populations.

Experience working alongside finance, HR, and operational teams in a fast-paced environment.

Why Should You Join Leeds United?

Whether you are on the pitch or behind the scenes here, we’re united by passion, pride, and a drive to always improve. You’ll be joining a supportive team where your voice is valued and your development matters.

In return for your dedication, you’ll receive a competitive salary package and pension scheme, along with a range of exciting benefits perks.

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If you’re looking to take the next step in your career and want to be part of a club that’s as committed to its people as it is to performance, we would love to see your application.

📅 Deadline: 23/10/2026