Payroll Director, UK: Strategy, Ops & Client Leadership

ACCA Careers; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cutting-edge technology

Diverse client engagements

Culture of innovation

Job summary

ACCA Careers is seeking a Payroll Director to lead our UK payroll operations and technology initiatives within a dynamic, international organisation. You will oversee end-to-end payroll delivery, manage senior client relationships and drive strategic improvements across a diverse client portfolio.

The role requires extensive UK payroll expertise, leadership skills and a track record of delivering high-quality payroll solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in global payroll, mobility, or expatriate tax.
• Proven senior-level experience in UK payroll, ideally within a consultancy or professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, pensions and payroll compliance.
• Experience leading payroll operations and delivering high-quality solutions to clients.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to build and manage senior client relationships.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, data analytics, and project management tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee UK payroll operations and technology initiatives, ensuring efficient processes, seamless delivery and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior stakeholders, managing relationships and ensuring strategic alignment with client goals.
• Manage relationships with key Alliance partners in the UK, ensuring strong collaboration, service delivery and continued growth of these partnerships.
• Oversee end-to-end UK payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing, strong controls, and compliance with agreed KPIs and SLAs.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities and risk mitigation strategies to enhance efficiency, quality and the overall client experience.
• Oversee data validation, reconciliation and reporting processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of UK payroll data and reporting.
• Manage client-specific payroll operations, cost tracking, and vendor turnaround times, ensuring customized solutions that meet unique client needs.
• Ensure payroll processes remain aligned with UK legislation and regulatory requirements, supporting year-end reporting, compensation summaries and other compliance activities.
• Utilize data analytics to develop actionable insights that drive decision-making for mobility programs, empowering clients to make informed choices.
• Mentor and develop junior and managerial team members, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
• Work closely with senior leadership to identify and pursue business development opportunities, expand our UK payroll offering and strengthen our position in the market.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Strategic thinking

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in global payroll

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Data analytics tools

Project management tools

Job description

ACCA Careers is seeking a Payroll Director to lead our UK payroll operations and technology initiatives within a dynamic, international organisation. You will oversee end-to-end payroll delivery, manage senior client relationships and drive strategic improvements across a diverse client portfolio.

The role requires extensive UK payroll expertise, leadership skills and a track record of delivering high-quality payroll solutions.