Global Head of Payroll and Benefits in Southampton

A high-growth, international FinTech is seeking a Head of Payroll & Benefits to lead its global payroll and benefits function.

This is a strategic leadership role with responsibility for payroll governance, operational excellence, benefits strategy, compliance, and transformation across multiple regions. The successful individual will bring deep expertise in managing complex, high-volume payroll environments, with particular strength in India payroll, while driving scalable processes and employee-focused benefits programmes across an international workforce.

The Opportunity

Reporting into senior HR leadership, you will:

• Lead global payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and effective governance.
• Take ownership of a large and complex India payroll population within a highly regulated environment.
• Design and evolve the global benefits strategy, balancing consistency with local market requirements.
• Drive payroll transformation initiatives including automation, process improvement, systems optimisation, and vendor management.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, and executive stakeholders on workforce costs, risk management, and employee experience.
• Support business growth, organisational change, and M&A integration activity.

About You

We are interested in speaking with individuals who can demonstrate:

• 10+ years' experience leading global payroll and benefits functions.
• Deep expertise in India payroll, including regulatory, tax, and compliance requirements.
• Experience operating within multinational technology, SaaS, fintech, or similarly fast-paced international organisations.
• A strong track record of payroll transformation, automation, and process standardisation.
• Experience managing global payroll providers and external benefits vendors.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership teams.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to join a growing international organisation where payroll and benefits are viewed as a critical business function. You'll have the scope to shape strategy, improve operational effectiveness, enhance the employee experience, and play a key role in supporting future growth globally.