Head Of Payroll (Global)

Annapurna HR Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Annapurna HR Ltd. in London is seeking a Head of Global Payroll to lead a complex, multi-country function and drive a major transformation project. The role oversees Europe, the US and APAC, partnering with People, Finance and Technology to deliver an automated, scalable payroll operating model.

You will shape payroll strategy, governance and supplier relationships, build a high-performing global team and ensure accuracy, compliance and an exceptional employee experience across regions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading global/multi-country payroll across Europe, the US and APAC.
• Proven ability to deliver payroll transformation, technology implementation, process redesign and/or operating model change.
• Experience managing global payroll providers and complex vendor landscapes.
• Strong knowledge of payroll governance, controls, compliance and risk.
• Experience working with HRIS/payroll technology such as Workday, CloudPay or comparable platforms.

Responsibilities

• Own and shape the global payroll strategy, operating model and governance.
• Lead a significant global payroll transformation, including technology and provider optimisation.
• Drive the move from fragmented, manual processes towards a standardised, automated and scalable model.
• Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, controls and an excellent employee experience.
• Lead relationships with global and local payroll providers, driving performance and accountability.
• Partner with HRIS/Technology teams to improve integrations, data and automation.
• Support international growth, acquisitions and new country launches from a payroll perspective.
• Build and develop a high-performing, globally distributed payroll team.

Skills

Global payroll leadership

Payroll transformation

Vendor management

HRIS/payroll technology (Workday/Cloud

Team leadership (global)

Governance & compliance

Tools

Workday

CloudPay

Job description

Head of Global Payroll

London | Hybrid | Up to £140,000 + package

We're partnering with a high-growth, international technology business that is scaling rapidly across multiple markets and is now investing heavily in its global People infrastructure.

As Head of Global Payroll, you'll take ownership of a complex, multi-country payroll function while leading a major transformation programme designed to create a more standardised, automated and scalable global operating model.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys transforming payroll, not simply running it.

The opportunity

You'll have end-to-end responsibility for global payroll across Europe, the US and APAC, working closely with senior stakeholders across People, Finance and Technology.

Key priorities will include:

• Own and shape the global payroll strategy, operating model and governance.

• Lead a significant global payroll transformation, including technology and provider optimisation.

• Drive the move from fragmented, manual processes towards a standardised, automated and scalable model.

• Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, controls and an excellent employee experience.

• Lead relationships with global and local payroll providers, driving performance and accountability.

• Partner with HRIS/Technology teams to improve integrations, data and automation.

• Support international growth, acquisitions and new country launches from a payroll perspective.

• Build and develop a high-performing, globally distributed payroll team.

What we're looking for

We're looking for an experienced global payroll leader who combines deep operational expertise with genuine transformation experience.

You'll ideally bring:

• Significant experience leading global/multi-country payroll across Europe, the US and APAC.

• A strong track record delivering payroll transformation, technology implementation, process redesign and/or operating model change.

• Experience managing global payroll providers and complex vendor landscapes.

• Strong knowledge of payroll governance, controls, compliance and risk.

• Experience working with HRIS/payroll technology such as Workday, CloudPay or comparable platforms.

• Experience leading geographically distributed teams.

• The credibility and stakeholder management skills to operate with senior leadership across People, Finance and Technology.

Why this role?

This is a chance to join a genuinely international business at an important stage of its growth and shape how payroll operates globally for the future.

You'll have significant ownership, a clear transformation mandate and the opportunity to build a scalable payroll function across multiple regions - with the backing of a business that recognises payroll as a critical part of the employee experience.