In-House Payroll Operations Manager (18 Month Fixed Term Employment)

Oyster; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global employment platform is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead a team in delivering payroll services across multiple countries. This remote role requires a minimum of 7 years in payroll, with significant management experience. You will oversee both in-house and Employer of Record payroll operations, ensuring compliance and service delivery. Ideal candidates should be proficient in project management and possess a recognized payroll qualification. Join a company valuing equality and flexible work arrangements.

Benefits

40 days paid time off

Mental health support

Flexible parental leave

WFH stipend

Qualifications

• 7 years of payroll experience including 2 years of management experience.
• Experience managing payroll for 1,000 employees across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong understanding of payroll legislative changes.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of payroll specialists across multiple countries.
• Deliver best payroll experience ensuring queries are resolved timely.
• Manage the execution of UK payroll operations.

Skills

Payroll management

Team leadership

Process improvement

Project management

Education

Recognized payroll qualification (e.g., CIPP, FPC, CPP)

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

One platform a whole world of opportunity

The best jobs are often restricted to a few wealthy cities but talent exists everywhere. Oyster set out to change this by launching a global employment platform that enables companies to hire pay and support talent anywhere.

We’re proof that a strong engaged culture doesn’t require an office. Since January 2020 Oyster has:

• Built a distributed team of 400 across 60 countries
• Featured in Forbes as #9 in FlexJobs Top 30 Companies for remote jobs
• Formed a diverse leadership team and a workforce that’s 60% female
• Earned top employee engagement scores
• Raised $286 million; valued at $1.2 billion
• Achieved B Corp status in 2023

Our momentum shows the power of global employment and we’re just getting started! If you want to help us drive change and work remotely we’d love for you to apply!

The Role

ℹ This is an 18‑month fixed‑term employment contract

Location: While this position is posted in a specific location all of Oyster’s positions are fully remote and you can work from home. Forever. To create the best experience for this employee and to meet the business needs this role requires you to be based within 2 / -2 UTC.

As our Payroll Manager you’ll lead a team of payroll specialists delivering exceptional payroll services across multiple countries managing both in‑house (native) and Employer of Record (EoR) operations. This isn’t just a typical payroll management role; it’s an opportunity to build and optimize payroll operations in a hyper‑growth global‑first environment.

You’ll report directly to our Head of Payroll Operations and have the opportunity to drive payroll transformation through automation, shape strategy for new country launches, build a high‑performing team and partner with Product, Finance and HR to revolutionize how we deliver payroll at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee a team of payroll specialists to deliver both in‑house (native) and EoR payroll for Oyster’s team members across multiple countries as assigned.
• Coaching and monitoring the successful transition to and adoption of Oyster’s automated payroll tooling and processes for delivering payroll at scale while maintaining Service Delivery targets and KPIs.
• Deliver a best‑of‑breed payroll experience ensuring payroll queries are resolved in line with SLAs.
• Manage the transition to and oversee the execution of Oyster’s native payroll operations in the United Kingdom and additional countries as per the native payroll roadmap.
• Lead the role in managing, communicating and resolving payroll escalations pertaining to countries under your charge.
• Ensure you and your team maintain professional knowledge of payroll legislative changes.
• Work closely with HR Advisory to manage enhancements to processes and legislative issues.
• Oversee effective working relations and monitor SLA adherence with local payroll vendors, accountants and employment advisors.
• Lead optimization of payroll processes and engage with cross‑functional teams such as Product, Treasury, Accounting and Finance Transformation.
• Build and develop your team through coaching, performance management and career development planning.
• Lead due diligence vendor selection and implementation planning for new country launches.
• Present management reports on payroll metrics and operational performance to senior leadership.

Core Requirements

• Must have 7 years of payroll experience including at least 2 years of people management experience (hiring, coaching, performance management) leading a team of payroll professionals.
• Responsibility for delivering end‑to‑end native (in‑house) payroll across multiple EMEA countries.
• Delivery of at least one other payroll within the EMEA region.
• Overseeing local country taxation & compliance e.g., taxation of benefits, expenses, income, national insurance, pension auto‑enrolment, statutory payments.
• Working closely with local payroll engines (software) throughout EMEA.
• Proven track record working with finance transformation, RPA and process improvement teams to achieve automation and efficiency.
• Experience managing payroll for 1,000 employees across multiple jurisdictions.
• Project management experience leading payroll implementations or transformation initiatives.
• Bonus: Recognized payroll qualification / diploma / certification (e.g., CIPP, FPC, CPP).

Additional Qualifications

• A reliable home internet connection (or ability to obtain one).
• Fluent English language skills.

How we work together at Oyster

Our values guide the work we do, the decisions we make and the culture that makes us special. We make it happen. We drive change. We build and give trust and we are a united team.

Our mission is to create a more equal world one global hire at a time. Everything we do ladders up to our mission and that doesn’t just mean building software. We develop programs, participate in workshops and create dedicated teams to ensure we successfully support companies and knowledge workers in this new world of work.

We embrace asynchronous communication and collaborative work and share our practices in the Oyster Public HQ to help other global teams learn from our experiences.

How YOU work

Work from anywhere

Oyster has no borders or HQ. As long as work is timely your team is supported and you’re authorized to work where you live you can work from anywhere.

Paid time off

Enjoy 40 days off per year (including holidays and vacation) or more if required by your country.

Mental health support

Access Plumm, our mental well‑being service.

Wellbeing allowance

Each month receive a wellbeing allowance in your ThanksBen wallet. Spend it on a wide range of options; see the benefits catalogue for ideas.

Flexible parental leave

All new parents are eligible for at least three months paid leave with job protection for up to 12 months or as required locally.

WFH stipend

Receive a stipend for your laptop and home office equipment to get you set up quickly.

The best jobs should be available to everyone

We embrace diverse perspectives and intentionally build our product and company with an inclusive global mindset. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every criterion and are committed to a trust‑based thriving environment.

Oyster is committed to ensuring equal opportunity of employment for qualified persons with disabilities and actively fosters an inclusive work environment. If you require reasonable accommodations throughout the recruiting process please email with the subject line: Interview Accommodations.

Our team will only contact you from an @ email and we will never ask for money as part of an interview process or job offer. If you receive a suspicious email about Oyster jobs or are directed to a site other than please report it via our Compliance and Ethics Helpline.