Payroll Operations Manager

Role Purpose:     

The Payroll Operations Manager is responsible for the accurate and timely delivery of the Williams F1 Team’s payroll provision. This role oversees all payroll processes, ensures compliance with statutory requirements, manages payroll vendors and systems, provides expert advice to leaders and employees on payroll matters and the Payroll SME for the People Services team. The Payroll Operations Manager drives continuous improvement, ensuring that processes are efficient, well‑controlled, and aligned with organisational policies. 

Main Duties  

Payroll Processing & Compliance 

• Lead and manage end‑to‑end payroll operations for all employees, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. 

• Ensure compliance with HMRC legislation, pension regulations, and statutory requirements. 

• Oversee calculations of pay, overtime, bonuses, allowances, deductions, and statutory payments (SMP, SSP, SPP, etc.). 

• Manage year‑end payroll activities including P60s, P11Ds and tax‑year submissions. Together with leading on payrolling benefits for 2027. 

Systems & Data Management 

• Oversee payroll systems in partnership with the People Systems team, ensuring data integrity and optimised workflow. 

• Partner with People Systems, Finance, and Tax teams to design and enhance payroll‑related processes. 

• Maintain secure, accurate employee payroll data in line with data protection guidelines. 

Vendor & Stakeholder Management 

• Manage relationships with third‑party payroll providers, pension providers, and auditors. 

• Act as main point of contact for internal stakeholders on payroll queries and reporting. 

• Provide timely, accurate payroll data to Finance for budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. 

Controls, Audit & Process Improvement 

• Establish strong governance and control frameworks to reduce risk and ensure compliance. 

• Lead internal and external audit activities related to payroll. 

• Drive AI, automation and efficiency across payroll processes, seeking opportunities for system and process improvements. 

Working at Williams F1 Team accountabilities: 

Fulfil all organisational expectations, including but not limited to the following:  

• Understand and work in line with Williams Values & Behaviours, encouraging others to do the same. 

• Ensure understanding of and compliance with health and safety obligations. 

• Maintain personal high standards of behaviour and conduct, being a positive ambassador for the department. 

• Ensure you adhere to brand rules and maintain high standards of department presentation. 

• Work to quality standards and identify and contribute ways to continuously improve department and personal performance. 

• Ensure understanding of cost cap rules and requirements. 

For almost 50 years, Atlassian Williams F1 Team has been at the forefront of one of the fastest sports on the planet, being one of the top three most successful teams in history competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. With an almost unrivalled heritage of engineering and racing F1 cars and unforgettable eras that demonstrate it is a force to be reckoned with, the British squad boasts 16 F1 World Championship titles to its name.

Since its foundation in 1977 by the eminent, late Sir Frank Williams and engineering pioneer Sir Patrick Head, the team has won nine Constructors’ Championships, in association with Cosworth, Honda and Renault. Its roll call of drivers is legendary, with its seven Drivers’ Championship trophies being lifted by true icons of the sport: Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. The team has made history before and is out to make it again with a long-term mission to evolve and return to the front of the grid.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications 

Essential 

• Proven experience managing end‑to‑end payroll operations in a complex organisation. 

• Detailed knowledge of UK payroll legislation, taxation, and statutory reporting. 

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing or developing a payroll team. 

• Proficient in payroll systems and MS Excel. 

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and problem‑solving capability. 

• Ability to manage deadlines and work accurately under pressure. 

AI Enablement 

• Identify, trial and embed AI and automation tools to streamline payroll processing and reduce manual effort. 

• Act as an advocate for AI adoption within the payroll and wider People Services team, building team capability and confidence with new tools. 

• Use AI and data analytics to strengthen payroll accuracy, exception reporting, and anomaly detection. 

• Partner with the People Systems team to evaluate and adopt emerging AI functionality within payroll platforms. 

Desirable 

• CIPP qualification or equivalent. 

• Experience with People systems/payroll integrations (e.g., Workday, SAP, ADP, OSV, etc.). 

• Experience within multi‑site, multi‑contract, or unionised environments. 

• Experience in using AI in Payroll Operations. 

Atlassian Williams F1 Team is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We are happy to discuss reasonable job adjustments.