Head of UK Payroll Delivery

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

Job summary

A global marketing services company is seeking a Head of UK Payroll Delivery & Product Lead to enhance operational excellence across UK payroll processes. This role requires leadership in managing a high-performing team, ensuring compliance with UK payroll regulations, and optimizing vendor partnerships. The ideal candidate will have experience in payroll delivery for large organizations and a strong proficiency with HR solutions. The position fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment, offering growth opportunities.

Benefits

Challenging and stimulating work

Opportunity for career growth

Supportive and inclusive environment

Qualifications

• Experience in leading complex payroll delivery with expertise in UK payroll regulations.
• Proven experience delivering payroll for large organizations with 10,000+ employees.
• Successful team leadership with a focus on growth and high performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end UK Payroll operations, applying best practices.
• Drive the strategic relationship with third-party payroll provider.
• Own the continuous development of payroll products and services.
• Build partnerships across Finance, HR, and UK OpCos.
• Ensure compliance with all UK payroll laws and regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Expertise in UK payroll regulations

Vendor management

Process improvement

Collaboration

Tools

SD Worx

Workday

Job description

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.

WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.

Why Join Our Team:

This isn't just about processing payroll; it's about shaping its future at one of the world's most dynamic companies. We're seeking a visionary and collaborative Head of UK Payroll Delivery & Product Lead to drive operational excellence for our UK Operating Companies. You'll lead a talented team, strategically manage our vendor relationships (like SD Worx), and champion continuous innovation. If you're ready to transform payroll through technology and process efficiency, and contribute to the well-being of thousands of colleagues, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead & Innovate: Lead the end-to-end UK Payroll operations, applying best practices and exceeding service standards. You'll lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing central team, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
• Strategic Vendor Partner: Drive the strategic relationship with our third‑party payroll provider (e.g., SD Worx) by representing WPP at vendor‑hosted business reviews, ensuring top‑tier service delivery, optimizing performance via SLA monitoring, serving as escalation point for all OpCos, and identifying automation/AI opportunities.
• Product Evolution: Own the continuous development of our payroll product and services, influencing roadmaps and, as the Chairperson, leading discussions on key enhancements in the UK Payroll Steering Committee. Function as the UK Payroll SME on all enterprise initiatives that impact or rely on Payroll technology or operations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong, collaborative partnerships across Finance, HR, Legal, and our UK OpCos, providing expert guidance and ensuring alignment with group standards.
• Compliance & Risk: Ensure absolute compliance with all UK payroll laws and regulations, proactively managing risks, audits and year‑end processes including Business Continuity readiness.

What We're Looking For:

• Experience in leading complex payroll delivery, with deep expertise in UK payroll regulations (PAYE, NI, pensions auto‑enrolment).
• Proven experience delivering high‑quality payroll for large, multi‑entity organisations (10,000+ employees), including vendor‑managed or offshore shared services.
• Successful team leadership, fostering growth and high performance.
• Strong proficiency with major enterprise HR/Finance solutions (e.g., SD Worx, Workday) and a track record of leading system implementations or process improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage critical third‑party vendors and optimise performance against SLAs/KPIs.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open‑minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures for our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

#LI-Hybrid

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.