Global Process Owner (Payroll & Compliance) in London

Location: London/Cambridge

Employment Type: Full time

Job Overview

As the Global Process Owner (GPO) for Payroll, you will be responsible for designing, governing, and continuously improving the global payroll processes across all regions. You will ensure payroll operations are compliant, efficient, and aligned with business objectives, while driving standardization and automation. This role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and expertise in global payroll operations.

Responsibilities

• Process Ownership & Strategy
  • Define and maintain the global payroll process framework, including policies, standards, and controls.
  • Develop and execute a roadmap for payroll transformation, including automation, vendor optimization, and scalability.
  • Ensure alignment with global HR, Finance, and Legal teams.
• Governance & Compliance
  • Monitor compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and internal controls.
  • Partner with internal audit and risk teams to ensure robust governance and risk mitigation.
  • Own documentation and audit readiness across all payroll processes.
• Operational Excellence
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance payroll accuracy, timeliness, and employee experience.
  • Establish and track KPIs and SLAs for payroll performance globally.
  • Drive standardization across regions while allowing for local flexibility where required.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Collaborate with regional payroll teams, People Technology, Finance, and external vendors.
  • Act as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and process deviations.
  • Communicate process changes and updates effectively across the organization.
• Technology & Innovation
  • Partner with People Technology and IT to optimize payroll systems and integrations.
  • Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve payroll delivery and analytics.
  • Lead system upgrades and global rollouts where applicable.
  • Lead on Global payroll system risk mitigation, including system access support and governance and BCP development.

Skills & Qualifications

Ideal Skills

• Proven experience in global payroll operations and process ownership.
• Strong understanding of international payroll regulations and compliance.
• Experience with payroll systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, ADP, Oracle).
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with experience in data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication and change management skills.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite including Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to present data outputs effectively.
• Strong time management and organisational skills, in a fast-paced environment.

Desired Skills

• Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP, CIPP) or HR/Finance-related qualifications.
• Experience in a multinational organization with complex payroll environments.
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma or other process improvement methodologies.
• Experience in leading or supporting projects.

Benefits

UK Benefits include: Flexible benefits fund, emergency leave days, adoption leave, 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pension, life cover, private medical insurance, parental leave, education assistance program. It’s possible we’re hiring for this position in multiple countries, in which case the above benefits apply to the primary location. Specific benefits vary by country, but our packages are similarly comprehensive.

Hybrid Working

We work in a hybrid way at AVEVA. Most roles are based at a local AVEVA office, with an expectation of being on-site 50% of your working hours to support collaboration and connection. Some positions are fully office-based depending on the nature of the work, and certain roles that support specific customers or markets may be remote. The working arrangement for this position will be confirmed during the hiring process.

AVEVA requires all successful applicants to undergo and pass a drug screening and comprehensive background check before they start employment. Background checks will be conducted in accordance with local laws and may, subject to those laws, include proof of educational attainment, employment history verification, proof of work authorization, criminal records, identity verification, and credit check. Certain positions dealing with sensitive and/or third‑party personal data may involve additional background check criteria.

AVEVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to being an exemplary employer with an inclusive culture, developing a workplace environment where all our employees are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and the expertise that people from different backgrounds bring to our business. AVEVA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify your recruiter. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.