Head of Payroll

Michael Page (UK); City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment consultancy in London is seeking an experienced Head of Payroll to build and lead a global payroll function. This strategic role involves ensuring compliance, implementing payroll systems, and overseeing payroll processing across multiple countries. The ideal candidate will have extensive payroll leadership experience and a strong understanding of UK payroll legislation. The position offers a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

Performance bonus

Private healthcare and wellness benefits

Equity options

Qualifications

• Proven track record of setting up payroll functions from scratch.
• Extensive experience in payroll leadership roles, ideally in international environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation; international payroll experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global payroll strategy aligned with company growth.
• Lead the setup of the payroll function, including policies and governance frameworks.
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for timely and accurate payments.

Skills

Payroll leadership

UK payroll legislation knowledge

Stakeholder management

Operational execution

Strategic thinking

Education

CIPP qualified or equivalent

Tools

Payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday)

Job description

• Opportunity to build and lead a global payroll function from the ground up
• Strategic leadership role with high visibility across Finance and HR

About Our Client

My client is a high-growth, innovation-led tech company that is transforming how businesses operate through cutting-edge digital solutions. As they continue to expand across international markets, they are scaling their operations and building a world-class finance function. They are now seeking a strategic and experienced Head of Payroll to lead the design and delivery of a global payroll infrastructure.

Job Description

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership position, responsible for building and leading the payroll function from the ground up. The successful candidate will be instrumental in designing scalable processes, selecting and implementing payroll systems, and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Strategy & Leadership
• Define and execute the global payroll strategy aligned with the company's growth and international expansion.
• Build and lead a high-performing payroll team, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Act as the subject matter expert for payroll across the business, advising senior stakeholders on risks, compliance, and operational efficiency.

• Function Setup & Implementation
• Lead the setup of the payroll function, including team structure, policies, controls, and governance frameworks.
• Select and implement a fit-for-purpose payroll system (e.g., ADP, Workday, Deel, or similar), ensuring integration with HRIS and finance platforms.
• Develop and document scalable payroll processes and workflows for UK and international entities.
• Establish KPIs and reporting frameworks to monitor payroll performance and compliance.

• Operational Excellence
• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all employees, ensuring timely and accurate payments across multiple countries.
• Manage relationships with external payroll providers, ensuring service quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements including PAYE, NI, pensions, benefits, and international tax obligations.
• Lead payroll audits and ensure readiness for internal and external reviews.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, and IT to align payroll operations with compensation, benefits, and regulatory requirements.
• Support reward and compensation planning with payroll insights and feasibility assessments.
• Provide payroll data and analysis to support financial planning, budgeting, and workforce strategy.

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Drive automation and digital transformation within payroll operations.
• Stay ahead of legislative changes and industry trends, proactively adapting processes and systems.
• Champion employee experience by ensuring payroll accuracy, transparency, and responsiveness.

The Successful Applicant

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience in payroll leadership roles, ideally within high-growth or international environments.
• Proven track record of setting up and scaling payroll functions from scratch.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation; international payroll experience is highly desirable.
• Experience implementing payroll systems and managing vendor relationships.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach and strong operational execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• CIPP qualified or equivalent is a plus.

What\'s on Offer

• Competitive base salary + performance bonus
• Private healthcare and wellness benefits
• Hybrid working model
• Equity options (subject to role level)
• Opportunity to shape a critical function in a high-growth tech business

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled Head of Payroll to join a reputable business services organisation in London. If you\'re ready to take the next step in your career, apply now!