Short term contracting opportunity - Sept/Oct 2026 - Continuous improvement payroll consultant - Public sector Your new company This public sector organisation, based in Sheffield, provides essential frontline services to the local community. With a strong focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement, the organisation is investing in modernising and strengthening its core payroll processes to support a complex, high-volume workforce. Collaboration across Finance, HR, IT and Payroll is central to how the organisation delivers effective and compliant services.

Your new role As a Payroll Continuous Improvement / Process Mapping Specialist, you will lead a focused discovery and improvement project within a highly complex payroll environment. The organisation operates multiple pay cycles (weekly and monthly) with significant variable pay, overtime and allowances, supported by several in-house and standalone systems. You will plan and deliver an intensive programme of work, including: Meeting key stakeholders across Payroll, HR, Finance and IT/Systems

Mapping the current end-to-end (“as is”) payroll process, clarifying roles, responsibilities and system touchpoints

Designing and documenting the future state (“to be”) processes, applying Lean / Six Sigma principles

Identifying inefficiencies, risks and duplication across systems including payroll, HR and incident reporting

Developing a proof of concept to demonstrate how proposed changes would improve accuracy, efficiency and control

Producing a clear, prioritised action plan for implementation

Facilitating workshops with operational teams to validate findings and build engagement

What you'll need to succeed To be successful in this role, you will bring: Proven experience delivering payroll or workforce process improvement projects within complex environments

Strong knowledge of Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement methodologies

Demonstrable experience of end-to-end process mapping (“as is” / “to be”)

An understanding of payroll complexity, including variable pay, overtime, multiple pay frequencies and manual inputs

Experience working across HR, Finance, IT and Payroll functions

Excellent facilitation skills, with confidence running workshops and engaging operational teams

The ability to translate process issues into practical, implementable recommendations

Experience within the public sector or similarly regulated environments (desirable)

What you'll get in return In return, you’ll receive: The opportunity to deliver a high-impact, visible improvement project

A collaborative, professional public sector environment

The chance to shape future payroll processes and influence long-term change

Competitive day rate / salary, dependent on experience

A Sheffield based role with clear scope, structure and stakeholder access

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. # 4789930