At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead payroll and benefits for 1,400 employees while driving transformation initiatives.
- Company: Reputable professional services organisation with a commitment to modernisation.
- Benefits: Up to £100,000 salary, discretionary bonus, excellent benefits, and flexible working.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team eager for direction and development in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile leadership role with autonomy and support.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in payroll and benefits, strong UK legislation knowledge, and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Interim Associate Director, Payroll & Benefits 12 mnth FTC with the potential of a permanent opportunity afterwards. Up to £100,000 + Discretionary Bonus + Excellent Benefits. Canary Wharf, London - 4 days in the office, 1 day from home.
Oakleaf Partnership are partnering with a highly regarded and well-established professional services organisation to recruit an interim Associate Director, Payroll & Benefits on a 12 month FTC. This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile leadership role with genuine scope to shape the future of payroll and benefits within a complex and evolving business.
What the role is:
- You will take overall responsibility for payroll, benefits and pensions for approximately 1,400 employees across multiple UK entities.
- Leading a team of six, you will ensure the smooth and compliant delivery of several monthly payrolls covering both salaried and shift-based employees.
- Alongside business-as-usual leadership, you will review and optimise Workday, strengthen controls and reporting, assess the current operating model and lead key projects, including the potential implementation of a new benefits platform.
This is a highly visible role that partners closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, HR and the wider business.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the Payroll and Benefits function, managing a team of six.
- Oversee the accurate and timely processing of multiple monthly payrolls.
- Ensure compliance across payroll, pensions and benefits.
- Drive optimisation of Workday and payroll-related systems.
- Identify and deliver process improvements and transformation initiatives.
- Evaluate and implement a benefits platform.
- Support annual bonus, LTIP and salary review processes.
- Produce payroll reporting, including gender and ethnicity pay gap data.
- Partner closely with HR and Finance to deliver a best-in-class service.
Skills and Experience:
- Significant experience leading payroll and benefits within a complex organisation.
- Strong technical expertise in UK payroll legislation, pensions and compliance.
- Proven experience delivering payroll transformation and process improvement.
- Advanced Workday knowledge and systems optimisation experience.
- A supportive, resilient and collaborative leadership style.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong Excel and analytical skills.
- Experience implementing a benefits platform would be advantageous.
Why join this organisation?
This is a business with a strong reputation, substantial investment and a clear commitment to modernising its people and finance infrastructure. Payroll is increasingly recognised as a strategic function, and this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact. You will inherit a technically strong and dedicated team that is eager for leadership, direction and development. The business is open to fresh ideas and willing to invest in systems, technology and process improvements to create a best-in-class payroll and benefits function. For someone who enjoys combining operational leadership with strategic transformation, this role offers the autonomy, visibility and support needed to deliver meaningful change.
Payroll & Benefits Associate Director in Dover employer: Oakleaf Partnership
Join a highly regarded professional services organisation in Canary Wharf, London, where you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team and shape the future of payroll and benefits. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and substantial investment in modernising systems, this role offers not only competitive compensation but also the chance to make a significant impact within a complex and evolving business environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll & Benefits Associate Director in Dover
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and benefits field. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their payroll systems and any recent changes in legislation that might affect them. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to discuss how you can make an impact in their organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your experience, highlight times when you’ve led teams or projects successfully. We want to see how you can inspire and guide others, especially in a role as pivotal as the Associate Director of Payroll & Benefits.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate candidates who are eager to join our team and help shape the future of payroll and benefits.
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll & Benefits Associate Director in Dover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership experience in payroll and benefits, and don’t forget to showcase your Workday expertise!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead and optimise payroll processes.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:Since this role involves partnering with senior stakeholders, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in previous roles. We want to see your communication skills in action!
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 hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakleaf Partnership
✨Know Your Payroll & Benefits Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pensions, and compliance. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but also understand the complexities involved in managing payroll for a large organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've supported and developed your team in the past, and how you plan to do the same in this new role. Highlighting your collaborative approach will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Transformation Experience
This position is all about optimising processes and implementing new systems. Be ready to discuss any previous experiences where you've successfully led payroll transformation initiatives or process improvements. Use concrete examples to illustrate your impact and the results achieved.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be partnering closely with HR and Finance, think about how you can demonstrate your stakeholder management skills. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated and collaborated with different departments in the past, and how you plan to build those relationships in this role.
