Payroll Operations Lead job in Darwen

Joining the Hakim Group means becoming part of a close-knit family of independent optical practices across the UK and Ireland.

A place where empowerment, innovation, and unwavering support create a truly fulfilling experience — a career that feels like joining a secret club of the happiest eye care professionals.

As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a Payroll Operations Lead to help shape the future of how we reward and support our colleagues — ensuring every team member across the Group is paid correctly, on time, and with care.

You will also receive:

In return for your expertise and commitment, we’re offering:
• A competitive salary based on experience and impact.
• Access to our employee health plan and financial flexibility fund.
• A rewards portal full of exclusive offers and benefits.
• A vibrant calendar of team events and celebrations that bring our culture to life.

Most importantly, you’ll be part of a supportive, growing team where accuracy, care, and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role

We’re on the lookout for a hands-on, detail-driven leader to oversee and continuously improve our payroll operations. This role is all about precision, leadership, and progress — ensuring our systems, people, and processes work seamlessly together to deliver excellence every single month.

As Payroll Operations Lead, you’ll take ownership of day-to-day delivery while also driving forward long-term improvements. From implementing smarter workflows and automation to enhancing compliance and accuracy, you’ll help us create a payroll function that’s scalable, efficient, and ready for the future.

If you take pride in getting things right, love leading a capable team, and enjoy making complex processes simple, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead and oversee the monthly payroll cycle, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness across the Group.
• Manage day-to-day operations, team performance, and workload planning.
• Act as the main escalation point for complex queries, providing clear, supportive solutions.
• Ensure all payroll activity complies with tax, pension, and employment legislation.
• Drive process improvements and automation as part of our Payroll 2030 vision.
• Coach and develop the Payroll & Benefits team, building capability and collaboration.
• Collaborate with People, Finance, and external partners to resolve pay and benefits matters effectively.
• Champion fairness, transparency, and data accuracy in all payroll processes.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

We’re looking for someone who brings both precision and leadership — someone who thrives on getting the details right while inspiring others to do the same.

Essential
• Proven experience managing complex, high-volume, or multi-site payroll operations.
• Strong understanding of pay, tax, pension, and employment law.
• Hands-on experience with iTrent, Sage, and advanced Excel.
• Leadership experience with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement.

Desirable
• Experience leading payroll transformation or system implementation projects.
• Knowledge of automation tools, AI, or payroll reporting technologies.
• Experience within healthcare, retail, or professional services.