Global Payroll Director: Strategy, Compliance & Automation

Conova Financial Recruitment; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Conova Financial Recruitment is seeking a senior payroll leader to shape and drive a global payroll strategy aligned with growth, acquisitions, and organisational objectives.

The role requires building a scalable operating model, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring compliance across jurisdictions while collaborating with HR on mobility and strategic workforce planning. Strong regulatory knowledge and data integrity are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in payroll or similar, including leadership.
• Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, HR, Finance or a related field; master’s preferred.
• Strong knowledge of global payroll regulations, statutory pay and gender pay gap reporting.
• Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven leadership and ability to collaborate across global teams and cultures.
• Strong project management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• High attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Experience with global payroll systems and software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global payroll strategy aligned with business growth, acquisitions and organisational objectives.
• Establish a scalable global payroll operating model that ensures consistency, efficiency and compliance.
• Lead and develop a high-performing payroll team, including talent development and succession planning.
• Oversee payroll governance, audits, controls, statutory requirements and risk management across jurisdictions.
• Monitor regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation of payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Lead payroll integration for acquisitions, new market entries and organisational restructuring.
• Drive payroll technology, automation, AI and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage global payroll providers, contracts, service agreements and performance reviews.
• Advise senior leadership on payroll strategy, risks, performance metrics and recommendations.
• Collaborate with HR and Reward on global mobility, complex workforce structures and strategic workforce planning.
• Develop payroll analytics to support workforce planning, reward decisions and executive reporting.
• Maintain data accuracy, confidentiality, GDPR compliance and professional standards.
• Adhere to risk, compliance, AML and CPD requirements while supporting wider HR projects and initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Global payroll knowledge

Stakeholder collaboration

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Education

Degree in Accounting or related field

Master’s preferred

Job description

Conova Financial Recruitment is seeking a senior payroll leader to shape and drive a global payroll strategy aligned with growth, acquisitions, and organisational objectives.

The role requires building a scalable operating model, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring compliance across jurisdictions while collaborating with HR on mobility and strategic workforce planning. Strong regulatory knowledge and data integrity are essential.