Payroll Data Lead

Primark; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 92,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Primark seeks a Payroll Data Lead to manage end‑to‑end migration from an incumbent payroll provider to a new platform. You will lead the data workstream across Workday, UKG, and the new system, ensuring accurate extraction, cleansing, and validation.

Responsibilities include shaping migration strategy, mapping data, testing cycles, and ensuring GDPR‑aligned controls. You will collaborate with Payroll, HR, Finance, Technology, and external suppliers in a hybrid role based in Reading or Dublin.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading payroll data migrations or payroll transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, data structures, and operations.
• Hands-on experience with Workday, UKG, and payroll platforms.
• Demonstrable experience in complex data mapping, cleansing, transformation, and reconciliation.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience supporting testing, parallel runs, and cutover activities.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies, and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Data migration leadership — Own the payroll data migration strategy, plans, timelines, and delivery.
• Data analysis & cleansing — Perform detailed validation, reconciliation, and quality checks.
• Data mapping — Map data between legacy systems, UKG, Workday, and the new provider.
• Migration cycles — Execute mock migrations, testing cycles, and final cutover.
• Issue resolution — Identify and resolve data discrepancies and risks.
• Testing support — Support UAT, parallel runs, and payroll validation.
• Governance & compliance — Build strong data controls aligned with GDPR and payroll regulations.
• Stakeholder engagement — Work closely with Payroll, HR, Technology, Finance, and external suppliers.

Skills

Payroll data migrations

Payroll processes

Workday

UKG

Data mapping

Data cleansing

Data reconciliation

Stakeholder management

Testing support

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Risk & issue management

Tools

Workday

UKG

Job description

Payroll Data Lead (Global Programme)

Location: Reading or Dublin (hybrid)

Duration: Initial 6 Months

Contract Type: Day Rate (Inside IR35 if UK based)

About the Role

We’re recruiting a Payroll Data Lead to manage the end‑to‑end migration from an incumbent payroll provider to a new provider. You’ll lead the payroll data workstream, ensuring accurate extraction, mapping, cleansing, validation, and migration across multiple systems including Workday, UKG, and the new payroll platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Data migration leadership — Own the payroll data migration strategy, plans, timelines, and delivery.
• Data analysis & cleansing — Perform detailed validation, reconciliation, and quality checks.
• Data mapping — Map data between legacy systems, UKG, Workday, and the new provider.
• Migration cycles — Execute mock migrations, testing cycles, and final cutover.
• Issue resolution — Identify and resolve data discrepancies and risks.
• Testing support — Support UAT, parallel runs, and payroll validation.
• Governance & compliance — Build strong data controls aligned with GDPR and payroll regulations.
• Stakeholder engagement — Work closely with Payroll, HR, Technology, Finance, and external suppliers.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience leading payroll data migrations or payroll transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, data structures, and operations.
• Hands‑on experience with Workday, UKG, and payroll platforms.
• Demonstrable experience in complex data mapping, cleansing, transformation, and reconciliation.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience supporting testing, parallel runs, and cutover activities.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies, and timelines.

Desirable

• Experience in global or multi‑country payroll transformations.
• Background working with outsourced payroll providers.
• Knowledge of payroll compliance, GDPR, and data governance.
• Experience with reporting or data analysis tools.
• Project delivery or data management certifications.
• Experience with UKG and/or Workday data mapping.