At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global payroll operations and ensure accurate, timely delivery across multiple jurisdictions.
- Company: Join a trusted partner to over 8,000 clients globally, with a culture of support and recognition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for growth in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Embrace a collaborative culture that values integrity, ambition, and agility.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising payroll strategies and leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in international payroll operations and strong people-management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Company Description
We help clients succeed by unlocking new value through expertise, trust and scale. We deliver solutions that solve complex challenges faced by asset managers, financial institutions, corporates, high net-worth individuals and family offices. With a curious mindset, we ask the right questions to get to the right solution, faster. We collaborate to win together, sharing successes and shaping the future of our global business. Our culture of support and recognition provides the tools and opportunities for you to grow, while unlocking the most value for our clients and making your mark with Ocorian.
Expertise: We deliver specialist, tech-enabled solutions for our clients grounded on deep industry expertise.
Trust: We’re a trusted partner to over 8,000 clients globally. We are proud to have long-lasting partnerships with our clients.
Scale: With more than 1,500 colleagues, we operate across 20+ countries, our scale enables us to support our clients globally and locally, providing a seamless client experience across borders and service lines.
PURPOSE OF ROLE
The Head of Payroll is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and governance of global payroll operations. This 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
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.
Additional Information
All staff are expected to embody our core values that underpin everything that we do and that reflect the skills and behaviours we all need to be successful. These are:
- CLIENT CENTRIC: Clients are at the centre of our world, and we’re committed to providing expertise and specialist solutions to meet their most complex challenges.
- AMBITIOUS: We aim high. We think and act globally, seizing every opportunity to delight our clients and support our colleagues - wherever in the world they may be.
- AGILE: We act on our initiative to get things done for our clients. Our independence gives us the flexibility and freedom to keep things simple, efficient and effective.
- COLLABORATIVE: With a curious mindset, we ask the right questions to get to the right solution, for our clients faster. We collaborate to win together and share our successes.
- ETHICAL: We behave with integrity at all times and assume positive intent, building trust through responsible actions and honest relationships.
Equal Opportunities for Everyone
Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you. You can reach us at [email protected]. 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, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.
Global Head of Payroll in London employer: Ocorian
Ocorian is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration, support, and recognition. With offices in London and Belfast, employees benefit from a global network of over 1,500 colleagues, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. The company fosters a client-centric approach, empowering staff to deliver innovative solutions while maintaining a strong commitment to ethical practices and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Head of Payroll in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your achievements in payroll operations, compliance, and process improvements. This will give you an edge during interviews and show that you mean business.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers. Focus on demonstrating your leadership skills and how you've tackled complex payroll challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Payroll in London
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 leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Global Head of Payroll role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex payroll challenges in the past, and show us your passion for the industry.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires a structured, analytical approach, make sure to highlight your problem-solving skills. Include any relevant experiences where you've improved processes or ensured data accuracy. We love seeing candidates who can think critically!
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. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Ocorian!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocorian
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your international payroll operations knowledge. Understand the nuances of both in-house and outsourced payroll delivery models, as well as compliance requirements across different jurisdictions. This will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are ready to tackle complex challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential Head of Payroll, you'll need to demonstrate your people-management capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams, managed conflicts, or driven process improvements in previous roles. Highlighting your experience in training and developing others will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since this role involves owning payroll data accuracy and governance, be prepared to discuss your experience with payroll systems and advanced Excel skills. Bring examples of how you've used data analysis to improve payroll processes or resolve issues, as this will showcase your analytical approach.
✨Communicate Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for engaging with senior stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask during the interview, showing your curiosity and collaborative mindset, which aligns with the company's values.
