At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll services for over 75,000 colleagues, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
- Company: Join a people-centric organisation focused on transforming payroll delivery.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, extra holidays, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence large-scale operations in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on colleague experience and payroll innovation.
- Qualifications: Extensive payroll expertise and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Better places, thriving communities. Senior Leadership Role | People‑Focused | Large‑Scale Operations
Are you an experienced payroll leader ready to shape the future of payroll services at scale? We’re looking for a Head of Payroll to provide end‑to‑end leadership of a large, complex Payroll Services operation supporting over 75,000 colleagues across multiple pay frequencies. This senior, high‑impact role combines 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.
The Role
As Head of Payroll, you’ll lead the delivery of Time & Attendance (T&A) and Payroll Services at scale, ensuring accuracy, compliance and service consistency in a fast‑paced environment. You’ll also act as the senior operational lead for outsourced and offshore partners, holding them to account for performance, innovation and value. Occasional travel to India may be required as part of offshore partnership leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide end‑to‑end accountability for T&A and Payroll Services, including:
- Payroll and benefits processing
- TUPE mobilisation activity
- Statutory filings, compliance and cost distribution
- Employee and third‑party payments and reporting
- Overpayments management and recovery
- 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
You’re a confident, commercially minded leader with deep payroll expertise and the credibility to operate at senior level in a complex organisation.
You’ll Bring
- 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?
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. You’ll have the scope, scale and support to make a lasting impact – both on colleague experience and on how payroll services are delivered in the future.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits designed to support your well‑being and professional growth, including virtual GP, Salary Finance scheme, flexible lifestyle benefits on the Choices platform, up to five extra days’ holiday per year, critical illness insurance, dental treatment, technology purchase discounts, high‑street discounts, cycle‑to‑work scheme, up to four times salary life cover, enhanced pension contributions, Mitie Matching Share Plan, and recognition awards.
Inclusivity Statement
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long‑term condition and need us to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing Gemma Parry at Gemma.Parry@mitie.com.
Apply online to join our Mitie team and be part of shaping how we work.
Head of Payroll in Birmingham employer: Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services
At Mitie, we pride ourselves on being a people-focused employer that values inclusivity and professional growth. As the Head of Payroll, you will have the opportunity to lead a large-scale operation while enjoying a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being through comprehensive benefits and development opportunities. Join us in shaping the future of payroll services and making a meaningful impact on the colleague experience within our thriving organisation.
Contact Details:
Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Payroll in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Payroll role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK employment legislation and payroll processes. Be ready to discuss how you've led large-scale operations and improved services in the past. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your experience in building high-performing teams and managing outsourced payroll delivery models. They want to see that you can lead and inspire others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and shaping the future of payroll services.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Payroll in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Payroll role. Highlight your leadership in payroll operations and any experience with large-scale teams to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about payroll services and how you can drive continuous improvement. Share specific examples of your past successes in similar roles to show us what you bring to the table.
Showcase Your People Skills:Since this role is all about leading teams and building relationships, make sure to highlight your people management skills. We want to see how you've developed high-performing teams and fostered an inclusive culture in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie Cleaning & Hygiene Services
✨Know Your Payroll Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment legislation and payroll processes. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed large-scale payroll operations in the past, especially in complex environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and driving performance. Think about times when you've built high-performing teams or improved service delivery, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the company's goals and how the payroll function fits into their overall strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their vision of transforming payroll services through digitalisation and automation.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Think about how you've successfully collaborated with various departments like HR, Finance, and Legal in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to stakeholder management and how you ensure compliance and service quality across outsourced partners.
