At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global payroll operations and ensure accurate, timely delivery across multiple jurisdictions.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving payroll strategy and optimising processes.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in international payroll and strong people-management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
The Head of Payroll is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and governance of global payroll operations. The role oversees compliant and timely payroll delivery across multiple jurisdictions, drives continuous improvement, and provides strategic leadership on payroll data, controls, and reporting.
Locations: London or Belfast office.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead global payroll operations, ensuring compliant, accurate and timely delivery across all jurisdictions.
- Manage both outsourced and in‑house payroll providers, acting as senior escalation point for complex issues.
- Own payroll data accuracy, governance, reporting and statutory outputs, including employee cost analysis.
- Partner with Finance to ensure accurate journals, reconciliations and alignment with forecasting and planning tools.
- Maintain strong controls, audit trails and documentation while driving continuous process improvement.
- Deliver payroll strategy, optimisation initiatives, systems integration and support for newly acquired businesses.
- Oversee vendor clustering and management of outsourced payroll partners.
- Provide leadership, development, training and stakeholder management for the payroll team.
Qualifications Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience in international payroll operations, including preparation, reconciliation, and control frameworks.
- Background in both in‑house and outsourced payroll delivery models.
- Proven people‑management capability within payroll or a similar operational environment.
- Highly numerate with a structured, analytical approach to problem‑solving.
- Strong process orientation, with experience documenting, improving, and embedding controls.
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to work to deadlines.
- Confident communicator with strong verbal and written skills, including engagement with senior stakeholders.
- Proficient with payroll systems and advanced Excel skills.
We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.
Global Head of Payroll employer: Ocorian
As a leading employer in the payroll sector, we offer a dynamic work environment in our London or Belfast offices, where innovation and continuous improvement are at the forefront of our operations. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive training programmes and leadership development opportunities, ensuring that you can thrive in your career while contributing to our global payroll strategy. Join us to be part of a diverse team that values integrity, collaboration, and excellence in delivering payroll solutions across multiple jurisdictions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Payroll
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of global payroll operations. Be ready to discuss your experience with both in-house and outsourced models, as well as how you've driven process improvements in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing teams and how you've developed talent within payroll operations. They’ll want to see you can lead the charge!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Payroll
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your international payroll operations experience and any relevant achievements to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Global Head of Payroll role. Share specific examples of how you've led payroll operations and improved processes in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires a structured, analytical approach, don’t forget to mention your experience with payroll data accuracy and reporting. We love seeing how you’ve tackled complex issues in previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocorian
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your international payroll operations knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed payroll delivery across different jurisdictions and tackled complex issues with both in-house and outsourced providers.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the role requires a structured, analytical approach, prepare to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Bring examples of how you've improved payroll processes or maintained data accuracy, and be ready to discuss your experience with payroll systems and advanced Excel.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
As a confident communicator, you'll need to engage with senior stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing payroll strategy and optimisation initiatives. Think about how you can convey complex information in an easy-to-understand way.
✨Prepare for Leadership Questions
Expect questions about your people-management capabilities. Reflect on your experiences leading teams, providing training, and managing stakeholder relationships. Be ready to share how you've developed your team and driven continuous improvement in payroll operations.
