Global Payroll Services Operations Lead

Johnson Matthey; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sustainable technology firm in the UK is seeking a Global Payroll Services Operations Lead to ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery. This hybrid role involves leading a multi-region payroll team and defining standards for payroll processes. Ideal candidates will have deep payroll industry knowledge, strong leadership skills, and the ability to build collaborative relationships. The company offers a range of benefits, including retirement savings and medical plans. Join us to make a meaningful impact on your career and the environment!

Benefits

Retirement savings

Share plans

Life and disability insurance

Medical plans

Fitness discounts

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of global payroll processes and compliance.
• Ability to lead and develop a multi-region payroll team.
• Strong stakeholder relationship building skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant global payroll delivery.
• Lead and develop a high-performance payroll team.
• Define global payroll standards and processes.

Skills

Global payroll industry knowledge

Emerging payroll technology expertise

Payroll processes and compliance knowledge

Leadership and team management skills

Stakeholder management

Excellent communication skills

Fluency in business English

Job description

Royston, UK or London, UK (hybrid)

World‑changing careers, enabled by Johnson Matthey. With more than 200 years of history, join us and help accelerate the transition to net‑zero! As a Global Payroll Services Operations Lead, you will contribute to JM’s mission as a world leader in sustainable technology, transforming energy and reducing carbon emissions for a cleaner, brighter future.

The role

As a Global Payroll Services Operations Lead, you will help drive our goals by:

• Ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant global payroll delivery for employees and third parties, meeting all statutory and reporting requirements.
• Leading and developing a multi‑region payroll team, promoting a high‑performance culture focused on accuracy and employee experience.
• Defining and maintaining global payroll standards, processes, and controls to ensure consistency, audit adherence, and risk management.
• Managing relationships with global payroll vendor, overseeing performance, and leading vendor selection, onboarding, and contract renewals.
• Partnering with HR, Finance, IT, and Legal to support seamless payroll integration and global programmes such as M&A and new country expansion.
• Driving continuous improvement through process optimisation, automation initiatives, and payroll technology enhancements.

Key skills that will help you succeed in this role

• Deep global payroll industry knowledge and expertise.
• In‑depth understanding of emerging payroll technology, capabilities of cloud‑based payroll technologies.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, procedures, risks, and controls, ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including team management, coaching, and developing individuals to improve performance and achieve goals.
• Strong stakeholder and partner management skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across global teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• A high standard of business English, written and verbal, and fluency in English to enable effective global collaboration.

Even if you only match some of the skills, we’d love to hear from you to discuss further!

What we offer

We make sure salaries are fair, competitive and aligned to individual roles, experience and responsibilities. We are also supportive of hybrid and flexible working and, where applicable, offer life, medical and other benefits that support our employees’ financial and physical wellbeing, such as:

• Retirement savings
• Share plans
• Saving accounts
• Life and disability insurance
• Medical plans / health assessments
• Fitness discounts

Ready to make a meaningful impact on your career and the environment?

Join us and help shape a sustainable future while advancing your career!

At JM, inclusivity is central to our values. We create an environment where everyone can thrive, embracing diverse perspectives to tackle challenges and ensure all colleagues feel valued and connected.

Closing date for applications

This job advertisement will be posted for a minimum of 2 weeks, early application is advised.

To submit your application, please click the “Apply” button online.

Johnson Matthey Plc is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.