Head of Payroll

About the Role

As Head of Payroll at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], you'll provide end-to-end leadership of a large, complex Payroll Services operation supporting over 75,000 colleagues across multiple pay frequencies. This is a senior, high-impact role where you'll combine operational excellence with strategic vision to deliver a best-in-class payroll and time & attendance service.

You'll take ownership of the colleague payroll experience, ensuring services are simple, reliable and efficient, while driving continuous improvement through digitalisation, automation and data-led insight. Working closely with senior stakeholders and outsourced delivery partners, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping how payroll services operate now and in the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end accountability for T&A and Payroll Services, including payroll and benefits processing, TUPE mobilisation, statutory filings, compliance, cost distribution, employee and third-party payments, and overpayments management.
• Own and continuously enhance the colleague experience, ensuring services are responsive, efficient and reliable.
• Lead day-to-day operational performance including demand management, workflow optimisation and issue resolution.
• Build and govern strong relationships with outsourced and offshore suppliers, ensuring service quality, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain robust governance, controls and service standards.
• Drive process optimisation, automation and digital transformation using data and insight.
• Identify and manage payroll-related risks, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, data protection and information security standards.
• Lead and sponsor payroll transformation initiatives and complex service transitions.
• Own the Payroll Services budget, balancing service quality, risk and cost.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal and other corporate teams to deliver seamless end-to-end processes.
• Develop, coach and lead payroll managers and teams, building a high-performance, inclusive culture.

About You

• Extensive knowledge of UK employment legislation within large, regulated or unionised environments.
• Proven experience leading large-scale T&A and Payroll operations.
• Strong people leadership skills, with a track record of building high-performing teams.
• Experience managing outsourced or offshore payroll delivery models.
• A history of successfully delivering payroll transitions, including TUPE and acquisitions.
• Expertise in process redesign and continuous improvement, ideally using LEAN or similar methodologies.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to challenge constructively.
• Sound commercial judgement, including budget ownership and investment prioritisation.
• A professional, detail-driven approach with a strong commitment to confidentiality and data security.
• CIPP qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Why Join [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership role where you can genuinely influence and transform payroll service delivery within a large, people-centric organisation. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] offers a market-leading benefits package including virtual GP, financial wellbeing assistance, flexible lifestyle benefits platform (Choices), high street discounts, cycle-to-work scheme, life cover up to four times salary, enhanced pension contributions, save-as-you-earn scheme, and the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Matching Share Plan. Employees are recognised through [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Stars with cash prizes up to £10,000.

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is committed to an inclusive recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments can be requested by emailing [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

Apply

To apply, click the Apply Now button on the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] careers page. For any questions, contact Gemma Parry at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] or call [contact hidden].