Senior Global Payroll Specialist in London

Reporting to the Global Payroll Manager, the Senior Global Payroll Specialist will act as the Global Payroll Manager's deputy, supporting the delivery of accurate, compliant and timely payrolls across the UK, US and other international jurisdictions.

The role sits within the HR Services & Policy team and works closely with Reward, Finance, Tax, external payroll providers and other key stakeholders.

The role requires strong hands‑on payroll processing experience, with particular emphasis on US multi‑state payroll knowledge, alongside experience supporting international payroll operations.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Global Payroll Manager to ensure payroll processes, controls and documentation remain accurate, compliant and fit for purpose.

They will play a key role in payroll projects, process improvements, global mobility activities and resolving complex payroll matters across multiple jurisdictions, acting as a trusted escalation point for complex payroll queries, provider issues and payroll control matters.

This role can be based in any of our UK offices (London, Guildford or Cheltenham).

• Payroll Operations
• Support the Global Payroll Manager in the delivery of end‑to‑end payroll processing across multiple countries.
• Ensure all payrolls are processed accurately, on time and in accordance with local legislative requirements.
• Act as deputy for the Global Payroll Manager during periods of absence.
• Review payroll outputs, reconciliations and exception reports to identify and resolve issues.
• Support monthly, quarterly and year‑end payroll activities.
• Manage and challenge payroll provider outputs, ensuring service levels, accuracy and deadlines are met.

Act as an escalation point for complex payroll queries, ensuring issues are resolved accurately, sensitively and within agreed timescales.

• Ensure payroll input, approval and reconciliation controls are followed and appropriately evidenced.
• US Payroll Expertise
• Provide subject matter expertise on US payroll processing and compliance requirements.
• Support payroll activities across federal, state and local tax jurisdictions, with demonstrable experience of US multi‑state payroll processing.
• Assist with multi‑state payroll complexities, including tax withholding, unemployment insurance and employee work location considerations.
• Support onboarding requirements including payroll tax setup, state registrations and payroll compliance obligations.
• Maintain awareness of changes to US payroll legislation and ensure processes remain compliant.
• Compliance & Governance
• Ensure payroll processes comply with statutory, tax and employment legislation across all jurisdictions.
• Maintain and update payroll policies, procedures, and control documentation.
• Support audit requests and ensure payroll records and audit trails are maintained appropriately.
• Support payroll data integrity, ensuring changes to pay, benefits, deductions and working arrangements are accurately reflected in payroll systems.
• Review payroll controls and recommend improvements to reduce risk and improve efficiency.
• Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.
• Global Mobility Support
• Support international assignments, relocations and cross‑border working arrangements.
• Assist with payroll implications arising from employee mobility, including tax equalisation, shadow payrolls, split payrolls and social security considerations.
• Work closely with HR, Finance, Tax and external mobility providers to ensure payroll impacts are correctly managed.
• Identify payroll risks associated with international employee movements and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Drive payroll process improvements and standardisation initiatives.
• Support implementation of new payroll systems, country rollouts and process enhancements.
• Develop reporting and metrics to improve payroll accuracy and operational performance.
• Assist with training and knowledge sharing within the payroll team.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Significant payroll experience within a multinational environment.
• Hands‑on knowledge of US multi‑state payroll processing and compliance.
• Experience managing payrolls across multiple countries.
• Understanding of federal, state and local US payroll tax requirements.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll provider relationships, including reviewing outputs, resolving escalations and ensuring service levels are met Strong understanding of payroll controls, reconciliations, data integrity and audit requirements.
• Experience documenting and maintaining payroll procedures.
• Knowledge of UK payroll legislation and statutory payments.
• Strong Excel and payroll systems skills. Experience working with HRIS‑to‑payroll data flows, payroll inputs, approval processes and system controls.
• Experience supporting global mobility programmes.
• Knowledge of shadow payrolls, tax equalisation and international assignment payrolls.
• Experience with ADP payroll platforms.
• Exposure to payroll implementations and transformation projects.
• Professional payroll qualification (CIPP or equivalent).
• Experience in a professional services, partnership or law firm environment.

Person Specification

• Plans and prioritises work effectively to deliver agreed outcomes on time.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure with excellent attention to detail.
• Builds trusted working relationships with a range of stakeholders to support collaboration, alignment and delivery.
• Commercial and compliance focussed in order to reduce risk and support accurate outcomes.
• Communicates clearly with stakeholders to resolve queries and keep payroll activity on track.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Process improvement mindset to increase efficiency, accuracy and consistency.
• Collaborates with the payroll and wider HR team while taking ownership of allocated work. Handles sensitive payroll information with discretion, judgement and confidentiality.
• Hybrid working

We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.

For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page.

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