Global Process Owner (Payroll & Compliance)

AVEVA; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in industrial software is seeking a Global Process Owner (Payroll & Compliance) to enhance payroll processes across regions. The ideal candidate will lead payroll governance, ensure compliance with regulations, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Experience in global payroll operations and systems like Workday or SAP is essential. This role supports flexible working, requiring in-office attendance three days a week in London or Cambridge.

Benefits

Flexible benefits fund

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Education assistance program

Qualifications

• Proven experience in global payroll operations and process ownership.
• Strong understanding of international payroll regulations and compliance.
• Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP, CIPP) or HR/Finance-related qualifications desired.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the global payroll process framework.
• Develop and execute a roadmap for payroll transformation.
• Monitor compliance with local labor laws and tax regulations.

Skills

Proven experience in global payroll operations and process ownership

Strong understanding of international payroll regulations and compliance

Experience with payroll systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, ADP, Oracle)

Analytical mindset with experience in data-driven decision-making

Excellent communication and change management skills

Education

Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP, CIPP)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

AVEVA is creating software trusted by over 90% of leading industrial companies.

Job Title: Global Process Owner (Payroll & Compliance)

Location: London/Cambridge

Employment Type: Full time

The Job

As the Global Process Owner (GPO) for Payroll, you will be responsible for designing, governing, and continuously improving the global payroll processes across all regions. You will ensure payroll operations are compliant, efficient, and aligned with business objectives, while driving standardization and automation. This role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and expertise in global payroll operations.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the global payroll process framework, including policies, standards, and controls.
• Develop and execute a roadmap for payroll transformation, including automation, vendor optimization, and scalability.
• Ensure alignment with global HR, Finance, and Legal teams.

Governance & Compliance

• Monitor compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and internal controls.
• Partner with internal audit and risk teams to ensure robust governance and risk mitigation.
• Own documentation and audit readiness across all payroll processes.

Operational Excellence

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance payroll accuracy, timeliness, and employee experience.
• Establish and track KPIs and SLAs for payroll performance globally.
• Drive standardization across regions while allowing for local flexibility where required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with regional payroll teams, People Technology, Finance, and external vendors.
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and process deviations.
• Communicate process changes and updates effectively across the organization.

Technology & Innovation

• Partner with People Technology and IT to optimize payroll systems and integrations.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve payroll delivery and analytics.
• Lead system upgrades and global rollouts where applicable. Lead on Global payroll system risk mitigation, including system access support and governance and BCP development.

Skills & Qualifications

Ideal Skills

• Proven experience in global payroll operations and process ownership.
• Strong understanding of international payroll regulations and compliance.
• Experience with payroll systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, ADP, Oracle).
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with experience in data‑driven decision‑making.
• Excellent communication and change management skills.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite including Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to present data outputs effectively. Strong time management and organisational skills, in a fast‑paced environment.

Desired skills

• Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP, CIPP) or HR/Finance‑related qualifications.
• Experience in a multinational organization with complex payroll environments.
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies.
• Experience in leading or supporting projects.

People at AVEVA

We’re focused on the single most important part of AVEVA’s business: our employees. From recruitment and reward to experience and engagement, our partnerships across the business create and enable the conditions for every individual to thrive.

Doing the best we can for our great people requires quick thinking – and big thinking. Our team is as involved in the day‑to‑day activities affecting the employee experience as we are in the global transformation projects shaping AVEVA’s future. Join us and become part of a diverse and vibrant group that’s striving to make every day at AVEVA even better than the last.

Find out more: https://www.aveva.com/en/about/careers/

UK Benefits include:

Flexible benefits fund, emergency leave days, adoption leave, 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pension, life cover, private medical insurance, parental leave, education assistance program.

It’s possible we’re hiring for this position in multiple countries, in which case the above benefits apply to the primary location. Specific benefits vary by country, but our packages are similarly comprehensive.

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/benefits/

Hybrid working

By default, employees are expected to be in their local AVEVA office three days a week, but some positions are fully office‑based. Roles supporting particular customers or markets are sometimes remote.

Hiring process

Interested? Great! Get started by submitting your cover letter and CV through our application portal. AVEVA is committed to recruiting and retaining people with disabilities. Please let us know in advance if you need reasonable support during your application process.

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/hiring-process

About AVEVA

AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software with more than 6,500 employees in over 40 countries. Our cutting‑edge solutions are used by thousands of enterprises to deliver the essentials of life – such as energy, infrastructure, chemicals, and minerals – safely, efficiently, and more sustainably.

We are committed to embedding sustainability and inclusion into our operations, our culture, and our core business strategy. Learn more about how we are progressing against our ambitious 2030 targets: sustainability-report.aveva.com/

Find out more: aveva.com/en/about/careers/

AVEVA requires all successful applicants to undergo and pass a drug screening and comprehensive background check before they start employment. Background checks will be conducted in accordance with local laws and may, subject to those laws, include proof of educational attainment, employment history verification, proof of work authorization, criminal records, identity verification, credit check. Certain positions dealing with sensitive and/or third‑party personal data may involve additional background check criteria.

AVEVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to being an exemplary employer with an inclusive culture, developing a workplace environment where all our employees are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and the expertise that people from different backgrounds bring to our business. AVEVA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify your recruiter. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.

Empowering you with pioneering tech

AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software. Our cutting‑edge solutions are used by thousands of enterprises to deliver the essentials of life – such as energy, infrastructure, chemicals and minerals – safely, efficiently and more sustainably.

We’re the first software business in the world to have our sustainability targets validated by the SBTi, and we’ve been recognized for the transparency and ambition of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We’ve also recently been named as one of the world’s most innovative companies.

If you’re a curious and collaborative person who wants to make a big impact through technology, then we want to hear from you! Find out more at AVEVA Careers (https://www.aveva.com/en/about/careers/).

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