Global Payroll Manager

Oakleaf Partnership; Dover; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakleaf Partnership partners with a leading global professional services organisation to recruit a Global Payroll Manager focused on strategic client relationships and global payroll coordination across 90+ countries.

In this high-visibility, client-facing role you will work with senior stakeholders, coordinate across local payroll teams and external providers, and drive continuous improvement to enhance the client experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in UK payroll legislation, PAYE, NI, year-end processes and pensions.
• Experience coordinating global, multi-country payroll operations.
• Strong client-facing experience with senior stakeholders.
• CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll certification beneficial.
• Hybrid working with international client exposure.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary contact for a high-profile global client and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate payroll delivery across multiple countries with local payroll teams and external providers.
• Manage client queries and escalations from initiation to resolution.
• Provide payroll guidance and translate technical information into commercial recommendations.
• Lead service review meetings and monitor performance to maintain service standards.
• Identify risks, regulatory developments and opportunities to improve payroll processes.
• Support payroll transitions, implementations and ongoing service enhancements.
• Drive continuous improvement to strengthen the client experience and service delivery.

Skills

UK payroll

Global payroll coordination

Client-facing

Stakeholder management

Communication

Time management

Payroll outsourcing

CIPP qualification

Job description

• Working Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days per week in the office

Oakleaf Partnership is working with a leading global professional services organisation to recruit a Global Payroll Manager to support one of its most significant strategic client relationships.

This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly visible, client-facing role within a global business operating across more than 90 countries. You will work closely with a major financial services client, acting as the central point of contact for all global payroll-related matters.

Rather than processing payroll directly, this role focuses on relationship management, global payroll coordination and delivering an exceptional client experience. It would suit an experienced payroll professional looking to take the next step in their career, combining their technical expertise with commercial exposure and senior stakeholder engagement.

The role

As Global Payroll Manager, you will take ownership of a strategic client relationship, ensuring the effective coordination of payroll services across multiple jurisdictions. You will act as the key link between the client and a global network of local payroll specialists, providing a seamless, consistent and high-quality service.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will build trusted relationships, proactively manage queries and challenges, and ensure payroll matters are resolved efficiently and effectively.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as the primary point of contact for a high-profile global client, building strong relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Coordinating payroll delivery across multiple countries, working closely with local payroll teams and external providers.
• Managing client queries and escalations, taking ownership of issues through to resolution.
• Providing practical payroll guidance and advisory support, translating technical information into clear commercial recommendations.
• Leading service review meetings and stakeholder discussions to monitor performance and maintain service standards.
• Identifying potential risks, regulatory developments and opportunities to improve payroll processes.
• Supporting payroll transitions, implementations and ongoing service enhancements.
• Driving continuous improvement to strengthen the client experience and overall service delivery.

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will bring a strong combination of technical payroll knowledge, client relationship management and commercial awareness.

You will ideally have:

• Extensive experience in UK payroll, with a solid understanding of payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, year-end processes and pensions.
• Experience overseeing or coordinating global, multi-country payroll operations.
• A background in payroll processing or operations, with the ambition and capability to move into a more strategic, relationship-led position.
• Strong client-facing experience, with the confidence to engage professionally with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, alongside a polished, personable and commercially minded approach.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, resolve complex queries and coordinate multiple teams across different jurisdictions.
• A proactive mindset, with the ability to identify service improvements and anticipate client needs.
• Experience within a payroll outsourcing, managed services or financial services environment would be advantageous. A CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll certification would also be beneficial.

Why Work Here?

This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional payroll management and take on a role with genuine client ownership, commercial exposure and visibility.

You will work closely with a major Financial Services client, gaining exposure to a sophisticated, high-profile environment where service quality, discretion and attention to detail are paramount.

The position offers the opportunity to:

• Take the next step in your career: Move from payroll processing or operational management into a strategic, client-facing role.
• Build high-level relationships: Work directly with senior stakeholders within a leading investment organisation.
• Gain global exposure: Coordinate payroll services across an international network spanning more than 90 countries.
• Make a tangible impact: Help shape the client experience and drive service quality within a key strategic relationship.
• Join a global organisation: Develop your career within an established international business offering opportunities for professional growth.

If you are an experienced UK payroll professional looking for a more commercially focused role that combines technical expertise, relationship management and international exposure, this could be an excellent next step.