Global Payroll Operations Lead — Transform & Implement

JGA Recruitment; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Completion bonus

Job summary

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd is seeking an experienced International Payroll Operations Manager for a 12-month FTC in Reading. You will lead end-to-end international payroll across multiple countries, combining hands-on leadership with global transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities include overseeing payroll delivery, managing vendors, implementing new country rollouts, ensuring compliance, and driving process improvements. Hybrid work arrangement with 3 days in the office and 2 at home.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ EMEA/international payroll experience.
• Experience managing multi-country payroll operations.
• Proven team management and coaching experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll controls, compliance and best practice.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers/vendors.
• Strong payroll implementation, transformation or project management experience.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent Excel skills and process-improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate, compliant international payroll delivery end-to-end.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing payroll team.
• Review and approve payrolls, reconciliations, payments and controls.
• Manage relationships with external payroll vendors.
• Lead payroll implementation and stabilisation for new countries/store openings.
• Own international payroll calendars, deadlines and statutory requirements.
• Drive process improvements and bring activities in-house where possible.
• Support payroll audits, system upgrades, testing and legislative changes.
• Act as senior escalation point for complex payroll issues.
• Partner with stakeholders on global payroll projects and transformation.

Skills

EMEA payroll experience

Team leadership

Payroll controls & compliance

Outsourced payroll vendors

Payroll implementation / migration

Advanced Excel

CIPP qualified

Education

CIPP qualified or equivalent

Job description

JGA Recruitment Group Ltd is seeking an experienced International Payroll Operations Manager for a 12-month FTC in Reading. You will lead end-to-end international payroll across multiple countries, combining hands-on leadership with global transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities include overseeing payroll delivery, managing vendors, implementing new country rollouts, ensuring compliance, and driving process improvements. Hybrid work arrangement with 3 days in the office and 2 at home.