Director, Global Payroll

OpenTable; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global tech company is seeking a Director of Global Payroll to lead the design and implementation of global payroll operations across multiple regions. The role involves strategic leadership, operational excellence, and managing a distributed team. Ideal candidates will have over 15 years of progressive payroll management experience, proven expertise with payroll platforms like ADP and CloudPay, and a collaborative approach to stakeholder management. This pivotal role ensures compliance, operational efficiency, and continuous process improvement.

Benefits

Work from anywhere for up to 20 days per year

Company‑paid therapy sessions

Generous paid vacation time

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of progressive payroll management experience in a public global corporation.
• Proven experience managing a large multi‑country payroll provider.
• At least 5 years of management experience leading and developing impactful teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and govern the global payroll operating model.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end execution of compliant global payroll operations.
• Coach, develop, and mentor a globally distributed team of payroll professionals.

Skills

Data Entry

Payroll

ADP

Microsoft Excel

Accounting

Human Resources

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business, Accounting, Finance or related field

Tools

ADP

CloudPay

Workday

Job description

About this role :

Reporting to the VP Controllership the Director of Global Payroll is a pivotal leadership role accountable for the design, implementation and continuous improvement of global payroll operations across the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions for OpenTable. You champion payroll business processes, ensure unwavering compliance, forge strong partnerships with stakeholders and demonstrate the latest payroll technology to optimize efficiency and accuracy. Your exceptional leadership skills will guide a distributed team of payroll professionals ensuring they consistently deliver outstanding results.

In this role you will :

• Strategic Leadership and Governance: Design, deploy and govern the global payroll operating model setting a vision, driving alignment and prioritization across regions and establishing service standards and a robust key control environment.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the end‑to‑end execution of compliant global payroll operations both in‑house and outsourced, aligning with established People & Culture standards. Drive the development and reporting of global payroll critical metrics. Serve as subject‑matter expert for global mobility arrangements.
• Distributed Team Development: Coach, develop and mentor a globally distributed team of payroll professionals. Build a culture of growth and continuous professional development.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal partners (Corporate Equity Accounting FP&A Tax People & Culture Benefits Risk and Controls etc.), external vendors and global payroll teams. Serve as the primary global point of contact for the end‑to‑end payroll process.
• Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement: Identify, recommend and implement enhancements to payroll processes, systems and analytical capabilities, streamlining operations for greater efficiency.
• Compliance: Maintain in‑depth knowledge of global regulations, benefits changes and labor laws impacting payroll across the travel and hospitality sectors. Ensure local, state, federal and international payroll tax jurisdictions are adhered to.
• System Leadership and Change Management: Serve as subject‑matter expert for payroll software (ADP and CloudPay) and HRIS (Workday); lead system implementations and optimisation projects. Translate systems and business needs into functional plans.
• Internal Control: Develop, maintain and rigorously assess internal controls for payroll processes and payroll software systems. Ensure adherence to SOX narrative controls and SOC‑1 audit objectives.

Please apply if :

• Minimum 15 years of progressive payroll management experience in a public global corporation.
• Proven experience managing a large multi‑country payroll provider.
• At least 5 years of management experience leading and developing impactful teams.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business, Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise with payroll platforms, ideally including ADP, CloudPay and Workday.
• Experience navigating payroll complexities within fast‑paced consumer‑oriented tech environments.
• A strong collaborative approach and proven ability to build effective cross‑functional relationships.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to present findings to management in an accurate, clear and concise manner.

Benefits and Perks

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year.
• Company‑paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth.
• Company‑paid subscription to Headspace.
• Annual company‑wide week off a year – the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile‑up of work!).
• Paid parental leave.
• Generous paid vacation time off for your birthday.
• Paid volunteer time.
• Leadership development.
• Access to thousands of on‑demand e‑learnings.
• Travel discounts.
• Employee Resource Groups.
• 5 weeks paid vacation.
• Private health & dental insurance.
• Income protection and life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Program – including 24/7 GP & free legal advice.
• Pension plan contributions.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Bike2Work.
• Season ticket loan.
• Social events & Thursday happy hours.
• Free lunch 2 days per week.

Work Environment & Flexibility

At OpenTable we pride ourselves on fostering a global and dynamic work environment. As a team member with us you will benefit from a schedule tailored to accommodate a global workforce operating across multiple time zones. While the majority of your responsibilities may align with conventional business hours there will be instances where you are expected to manage communications – via calls, Slack messages or emails – outside of regular working hours to effectively collaborate with international colleagues, respond to restaurant partners and/or address urgent matters. OpenTable will always abide by and consider local laws and regulations.

Inclusion

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We know the best ideas come when we bring different voices to the table so we’re building a team as dynamic as the diners and restaurants we serve and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome to be themselves. If you need any adjustments during the application or interview process or on the job we’re here to support you. Please reach out to your recruiter to request any accommodations.

Employment Type: Full Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1

Key Skills

Data Entry, Paychex, QuickBooks, Accounting, 10 Key Calculator, Paylocity, Microsoft Excel, Payroll, ADP, Administrative Experience, Human Resources, Bookkeeping