Role:
This is an exciting opportunity to step into a key role within their payroll function at a time of growth and change.
They are looking for someone who can take ownership, bring structure, and become a trusted figure across the team, our clients, and our global partners. Following a recent leadership change, this role is critical in ensuring continuity, stability and confidence in payroll delivery.
You will lead from the front, combining hands-on UK payroll delivery with oversight of international payroll through in-country teams (ICTs) and partners.
The business operates a hybrid model with two days in the office and the rest from home.
Key Duties/Responsibilities:
Payroll Delivery (UK & Internal)
- Process, review and check UK payrolls
- Own end-to-end payroll for the companies employees
- Ensure accuracy, compliance and timely delivery
- Resolve queries, discrepancies and escalations
- Support complex or higher-risk payroll scenarios
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of UK payroll legislation and ensure compliance across all payroll activity
- Proactively keep informed of changes (e.g. National Minimum Wage, Apprenticeship Levy and wider statutory requirements) and ensure these are correctly applied
International Payroll Coordination
- Act as the central point of coordination across countries
- Build strong, credible relationships with in-country providers
- Hold partners accountable for timelines, quality and responsiveness
- Manage escalations and drive resolution
- Maintain visibility across multiple jurisdictions and payroll cycles
- Ensure a consistent client experience globally
Team Leadership & Development
- Provide clear, confident day-to-day leadership
- Act as a trusted escalation point for the team
- Coach and develop team members to improve capability and confidence
- Identify skills gaps and actively support upskilling
- Create a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement
- Bring structure and direction to the function
Client & Commercial Support
- Join client calls, onboarding and solution discussions
- Provide practical payroll input into proposals
- Support global expansion conversations where payroll is a factor
- Help identify opportunities to strengthen or expand services
Supplier & ICT Management
- Manage relationships with ICTs and payroll providers
- Drive accountability across external partners
- Challenge where needed and escalate appropriately
- Ensure clear, consistent communication across all stakeholders
- Support onboarding of new countries and providers
Service Quality & Improvement
- We're always looking to get better, this role plays a big part in that.
- Reduce payroll errors, complaints and rework
- Support root cause analysis and fix issues properly
- Identify practical improvements to processes and controls
- Help strengthen consistency and reliability across payroll delivery
Experience Required
- Strong UK payroll experience with hands-on delivery
- Strong, up-to-date knowledge of UK payroll legislation, with a proactive approach to staying current
- Exposure to international payroll (even if not processing it directly)
- Experience working with or managing third-party providers
- Confidence holding people to account, internally and externally
- Strong communication skills and client confidence
- A genuine interest in how global payroll works
It would be great if you also have:
- Experience in an outsourced or bureau environment
- Experience developing or upskilling team members
- Exposure to EOR or global workforce models
- Familiarity with systems such as Staffology, Payzar, Freshdesk, Freshsales or Asana
