Lead HR & Payroll

Lucy Walker Recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucy Walker Recruitment partners with a Leeds-based international consultancy to recruit an experienced Head of HR Operations. The role leads the UK & Ireland HR Operations, payroll governance, onboarding, and people data to deliver legally compliant and insightful services.

The successful candidate will manage HR systems, service delivery, documentation, and a data-driven payroll function, shaping the roadmap for HR technology and automation while ensuring a strong employee experience across

Qualifications

• Payroll qualification or equivalent professional expertise required.
• CIPD qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Strong knowledge of UK & Ireland HR processes, documentation, controls, and case administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR Operations and Payroll teams in UK & Ireland.
• Own compliant employment documentation and onboarding processes.
• Guide HR technology, payroll, and data roadmap, including responsible AI initiatives.
• Embed UK & Ireland employment-law across HR and payroll processes and controls.
• Lead service levels, dashboards, and HR Operations metrics.
• Turn people analytics into evidence-led decisions and action.

Skills

HR operations leadership

Payroll management

UK & Ireland employment law

Data analytics & insights

ER case administration

Onboarding & documentation management

Governance & data accuracy

Project goals delivery

Process improvement

Education

Payroll qualification or equivalent

CIPD (not essential)

Job description

We are working with an international consultancy company who are based in Leeds who are looking to appoint an experienced and engaging Head of HR Operations to lead a team here in the UK and Ireland to ensure they deliver legally compliant and insightful services. The role will lead on being accountable for HR systems, service delivery, employment documentation, onboarding and people data and insight as well as payroll governance and annual pay process. A role that will strengthen the colleague experience, looking at making working days simpler yet more effective. A varied and challenging role, key duties will include;

• Lead, support, and develop HR Operations and Payroll teams
• Own compliant employment documentation and onboarding
• Guide the HR technology and people-data roadmap, using responsible AI
• Embed UK & Ireland employment-law requirements across HR and payroll processes and controls
• Lead helpdesk performance, service levels, and meaningful HR Operations measures
• Turn people analytics into evidence-led decisions
• Own compliant contracts, written particulars, onboarding operations, and employment documentation
• Embed UK & Ireland employment-law requirements across HR and payroll processes
• Enable effective ER delivery through clear triage, accurate case administration, reliable data, and appropriate escalation
• Turn people data and analytics into decision-ready insight
• Guide the HR technology, payroll, and automation roadmap
• Lead annual pay, bonus, performance, gender pay gap, employee survey and audit delivery with strong governance and accurate data

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing and reputable organisation. Looking for insight and experience, the successful candidate will have;

• Relevant payroll qualification or equivalent professional expertise
• CIPD (not essential)
• Current knowledge and practical application across HR processes, documentation, controls, and case administration, with effective partnership on complex ER matters
• Substantial experience leading compliant and reliable UK & Ireland payroll service
• A leader of HR Operations and Payroll teams
• Practical UK TUPE desirable
• Sets high standards for quality and quantity
• Monitors and maintains quality and productivity
• Works in a systematic, methodical, and orderly way
• Consistently achieves project goals