Director, UK Payroll Operations in Cheshire, Macclesfield

Our StoryIn July 2019, Fourth joined forces with HotSchedules to become the global leader in end-to-end restaurant and hospitality management technology solutions. Together, the merged company now represents the world's largest and only provider of end-to-end restaurant and hospitality management solutions for customers across the globe and of all sizes, from a single location or franchisee restaurant to a global restaurant or hotel chain. The combined company's complete software-as-service (SaaS) solution suite including scheduling, time & attendance, applicant tracking, training, inventory management / procurement, HR / benefits and payroll services now serves customers in 120,000 locations worldwide and is supported by a dedicated, unified team across offices in the US, UK, Bulgaria, China, Australia, and UAE. Interested in joining our smart, fun, and talented team?Position OverviewSenior operational leadership role with full accountability for the quality, compliance, and performance of Fourth's UK payroll service delivery. This is a strategic position — the Director sets the direction for how the function operates, continuously raising the bar on service quality, efficiency, and team capability.Owns end-to-end payroll: accuracy, compliance, client service, technology, and team developmentMember of the EMEA operational leadership team — contributes to cross-functional strategySenior point of contact for complex, escalated, or strategically significant payroll mattersDirectly manages the Payroll Leadership teamPrimary ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Team DevelopmentLead and develop the Payroll Leadership team; ensure workload distribution and SLA deliveryCoach, mentor, and performance-manage at all levels; build succession depthSet clear performance expectations tied to service quality and client outcomesFoster a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvementLead the function through periods of change with minimal service disruptionUK Payroll Compliance & Regulatory GovernanceMaintain Fourth's UK payroll compliance framework: PAYE, RTI, NI, statutory payments, auto-enrolmentOversee all year-end activities: P60s, P45s, P11Ds, Apprenticeship LevyManage auto-enrolment compliance across all client groups, including The Pensions Regulator obligationsProactively monitor the regulatory landscape (HMRC policy, Employment Rights Act) and translate change into operational actionMaintain strong internal controls: segregation of duties, audit trails, error detectionOperational Excellence & Service DeliveryDefine, implement, and continuously improve payroll processing policies, procedures, and controlsOwn the end-to-end payroll delivery model — ensuring it is robust, documented, and resilientMonitor SLA performance across all client groups; use data to identify risk and drive interventionLead resolution of complex, escalated, or high-impact payroll issuesDevelop departmental reporting that gives leadership and clients clear visibility of performance and riskSystems, Technology & Process OptimisationProvide operational leadership for payroll system implementation, maintenance, and enhancementEnsure effective integration of payroll-adjacent applications (time & attendance, self-service portals, client interfaces)Partner with Product and Technology to identify automation and standardisation opportunitiesLead or contribute to payroll technology migrations, maintaining service continuity throughoutUse system reporting to inform resourcing decisions and embed evidence-based managementClient & Stakeholder EngagementBuild and maintain senior client relationships; act as operational point of contact for escalations and complex mattersProactively engage clients to anticipate risk and ensure delivery meets or exceeds expectationsServe as Fourth's subject matter expert on UK payroll in client-facing conversations and commercial discussionsMaintain strong cross-functional partnerships across HR, Finance, Product, Technology, and SalesStrategic ContributionContribute to EMEA operational leadership: business planning, commercial decisions, UK service strategyRepresent UK Payroll Operations in cross-functional forums and product roadmap discussionsPartner with the SVP, EMEA and peer directors on org design, headcount planning, and investment prioritisationPreferred Experience and/or QualificationsEssentialSignificant senior-level experience leading a UK payroll operations functionDeep, current knowledge of UK payroll legislation: PAYE, RTI, National Insurance, statutory payments, auto-enrolment, HMRC complianceCIPP qualification (or equivalent demonstrable expertise)Proven ability to design and continuously improve payroll processes and internal controls at scaleExperienced people leader — builds, develops, and holds accountable a payroll operations teamStrong client-facing capability — comfortable engaging HR Directors, Finance leads, and senior stakeholdersAnalytically rigorous — uses data to manage operational risk and provide credible insight to leadershipTechnically proficient with payroll/HR systems; experience leading or contributing to technology implementationsStrong cross-functional collaborator across Product, Technology, HR, and FinanceDesirableExperience in a SaaS, technology, or managed payroll bureau environmentFamiliarity with hospitality industry payroll complexity (variable hours, high volume)Experience with Fourth's technology, or comparable enterprise payroll platformsExperience managing payroll through significant regulatory changeDemonstrable contribution to senior leadership or operational steering beyond the payroll functionBachelor's degree in Business, Finance, HR, or related field; postgraduate qualification an advantageBenefitsð Holidays. We all need to rest so you get 25 basic holidays with the option to grow up to 30 with service + your birthday off + bank holidays!️ ️Flexible working! Use our flexible working hours and hybrid working environments to manage it.ð§️ Wellness activities and a lot of pampering included. On top of that, you can add gym subscription discounts. Laptop and equipment. Healthcare expense claim tools! Like in life, at work we also want you to grow with certifications. Annual meet ups! Enhanced parenting scheme!ð2 Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan provided. Pension and life insurance? Several, for you to choose what looks convenient. On demand pay tools for you to be able to access salary even before the end of the month!All personal data provided by you in your application will be processed by Fourth LTD solely for our recruitment purposes. More information on Fourth LTD's privacy policy for job candidates is available here and by applying you confirm that you have read it.Fourth is an Equal Opportunity EmployerAll qualified applicants will receive consideration without discrimination because of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, age, national origin, military status, religion, or disability or any other legally protected status.