Global Payroll Lead

ABB LTD; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global robotics company is looking for a Global Payroll Manager to design and implement a robust payroll model. This role, based in Milton Keynes, focuses on governance, compliance, and vendor management for smooth global payroll operations. Candidates should have over 7 years of experience in multinational payroll management and strong analytical skills. This position offers a hybrid work model, aligning with the company’s commitment to innovation and growth in the robotics sector.

Qualifications

• Professional payroll certifications are advantageous.
• 7+ years of experience in global payroll management.
• Strong experience with global payroll processes and vendor management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of the global payroll model.
• Establish standardized payroll processes and controls.
• Act as payroll lead during the carve‑out transition.

Skills

Global payroll management

Payroll governance

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

HRIS-to-Payroll systems integration

Education

Degree in Business, Finance, HR, Accounting, or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

As the Global Payroll Manager, you will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and leading the global payroll operating model for Robotics NewCo. Reporting to the Head of Global HR Operations & Services, you will build and manage a reliable, compliant, and efficient payroll function that supports all regions and employees worldwide. You will be responsible for global payroll governance, process design, system readiness, vendor management, and operational oversight. You will collaborate closely with the Global HR Services Lead (your peer), local HR and Finance teams, and the carve‑out HR program leadership to ensure a seamless payroll experience during and after the transition. This role is ideal for a hands‑on, detail‑oriented leader who has experience shaping payroll frameworks in complex, international organizations—and who thrives in a carve‑out or build‑from‑scratch environment. The work model for the role is: hybrid.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and governance of the global payroll operating model, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely delivery across all regions.
• Establish standardized payroll processes, controls, KPIs, SLAs, and compliance mechanisms to support scalable and reliable operations.
• Act as the payroll lead for the carve‑out transition, ensuring business continuity, system readiness, data migration quality, and stable parallel runs.
• Identify payroll risks during organizational or systems change and implement mitigation strategies to secure operational stability.
• Co‑own and optimise payroll systems and tools with HRIS, ensuring alignment with the broader HR technology roadmap and strong employee self‑service capabilities.
• Select and manage global and local payroll vendors to ensure high‑quality service and cost‑effective delivery.
• Collaborate with HR Services and Finance to ensure seamless data flows, financial accuracy, and improved consistency in employee‑cost reporting.
• Ensure full compliance with global and local payroll legislation, tax regulations, audit standards, and promote a culture of precision and accountability.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Finance, HR, Accounting, or related field; professional payroll certifications are advantageous.
• 7+ years of experience in global payroll management, payroll operations, or payroll governance in multinational organisations.
• Strong experience with global payroll processes, tools, compliance requirements, and vendor management (global and regional).
• Sound understanding of HRIS‑to‑Payroll systems integration for in‑house payroll technology as well as with external vendor technology; practical experience in managing Payroll integrations with Workday is a plus.
• Prior involvement in carve‑outs, integrations, system migrations, or large‑scale payroll transformations strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of HR operations, HR technology, and end‑to‑end employee lifecycle processes.
• Strong data and analytical skills; ability to interpret payroll data and derive insights.
• Hands‑on, detail‑focused, and highly reliable, with the ability to work at both strategic and operational levels.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience collaborating across HR, Finance, and regional teams.

About the Company

At ABB, we help industries outrun — leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation – for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we'll give you what you need to make it happen. It won't always be easy; growing takes grit. But at ABB, you'll never run alone. Run what runs the world.

This role sits within ABB's Robotics business, a leading global robotics company. We're entering an exciting new chapter as we've announced the plan for SoftBank Group to acquire ABB Robotics. SoftBank is a globally recognized technology group and investor/operator focused on AI, robotics, and next‑generation computing. By joining us now, you'll be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of robotics—working alongside world‑class experts in a fast‑moving, innovation‑driven environment.