Process Owner - Payroll (Global)

Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus

Annual leave

Private medical

Enhanced pension

Life assurance

Employee assistance

Cycle to Work

Learning & development

Collaborative culture

Global payroll impact

Job summary

Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment is seeking an experienced Payroll Workstream Lead to drive the design and delivery of a modern global payroll operating model. You will lead initiatives across regions, align with finance transformation, and work with senior stakeholders to standardise processes and controls.

The role focuses on process improvement, governance, and delivering a scalable payroll function in a transforming organisation. Hybrid working and competitive benefits are available.

Qualifications

• Significant payroll experience in a complex or multi‑national environment.
• Experience leading payroll workstreams within finance transformation or ERP programmes.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, governance and compliance.
• Experience designing and improving end‑to‑end payroll processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of a future global payroll operating model.
• Define payroll standards, governance and best practices.
• Review and optimise payroll processes for efficiency and scalability.
• Oversee a portfolio of payroll projects, ensure timely delivery.
• Act as payroll SME within wider finance transformation programmes.
• Support payroll system enhancements and technology initiatives.
• Develop multi‑year payroll roadmap aligned to business objectives.
• Design payroll performance metrics and reporting frameworks.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Project planning

Change management

Global payroll

Tools

ERP systems

Payroll software

Lean/Six Sigma

Job description

Hybrid Working | Competitive Salary + Benefits

A leading international organisation is seeking an experienced Payroll Workstream Lead to play a pivotal role in delivering payroll transformation initiatives across a complex global business.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of payroll operations, driving standardisation, efficiency and continuous improvement across multiple regions. Working closely with senior stakeholders, finance leaders and project teams, you will lead the design and implementation of a modern payroll operating model while supporting a wider finance transformation agenda.

The Opportunity

As Payroll Workstream Lead, you will be responsible for defining the future direction of payroll processes, systems and controls. You will oversee a portfolio of payroll-related projects, ensuring initiatives are delivered effectively, governed appropriately and aligned to the organisation's long‑term strategic objectives.

This role combines payroll expertise, programme delivery and process improvement, making it ideal for someone who enjoys driving change and influencing business‑wide transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a future‑focused global payroll operating model.
• Define payroll process standards, governance frameworks and best practice ways of working.
• Review and optimise payroll processes to improve efficiency, consistency and scalability.
• Assess current payroll activities and costs to support future operating model decisions.
• Create and maintain payroll process documentation, standards and controls.
• Develop and manage workstream plans, ensuring milestones, priorities and objectives are clearly defined.
• Identify and manage risks, issues and dependencies across payroll transformation projects.
• Act as the payroll subject matter expert within broader finance and business transformation programmes.
• Support the implementation of payroll system enhancements and payroll technology initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a multi‑year payroll roadmap aligned to business objectives.
• Design meaningful payroll performance metrics and reporting frameworks.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to enhance payroll service delivery.
• Support change management, stakeholder engagement and communication activities across all payroll‑related projects.
• Collaborate with finance, HR, operations and programme teams to ensure successful project delivery.

About You

We are keen to speak with payroll professionals who combine strong operational expertise with experience delivering change and transformation initiatives.

You will have:

• Significant payroll experience, ideally within a complex or multi‑national environment.
• Experience leading payroll workstreams within finance transformation, process improvement, ERP or systems implementation programmes.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processes, controls, governance and compliance requirements.
• Experience designing and improving end‑to‑end payroll processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to translate complex operational requirements into structured, practical solutions.
• Strong project planning and organisational skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on standardisation and operational excellence.
• Exposure to global payroll environments.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma or similar frameworks.
• Previous involvement in payroll technology, systems implementation or optimisation projects.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary and performance‑related bonus.
• Generous annual leave entitlement with flexible holiday options.
• Private medical cover and wellbeing support.
• Enhanced pension contribution scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• The opportunity to influence and shape payroll operations on a global scale.