UK Payroll Lead in Watford

Spencer Thomas Group is seeking an experienced UK & Ireland Payroll Lead Consultant for a 9-12-month engagement supporting a global leader in information management and digital services.

The consultant will provide leadership for payroll operations across the United Kingdom and Ireland, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing while partnering with internal stakeholders and third-party payroll vendors.

This role will also lead a team of five payroll professionals and drive continuous process improvement, governance, and operational excellence.

This is an ideal opportunity for a senior payroll leader with deep UK and Ireland payroll expertise who enjoys improving processes, leading teams, and partnering across HR, Finance, and external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Payroll Operations & Service Delivery (Approximately 70%)
• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for the UK and Ireland, ensuring payroll is processed accurately and on schedule.
• Coordinate payroll activities with third-party payroll providers and internal stakeholders.
• Plan and assign payroll activities across the team in alignment with payroll calendars and business priorities.
• Review and approve payroll submissions while ensuring appropriate controls, documentation, and audit requirements are met.
• Monitor payroll service levels, case volumes, and operational metrics to drive high-quality service delivery.
• Identify and resolve payroll integration and data issues to maintain payroll accuracy and timeliness.
• Support internal and external payroll audits.
• Provide Tier 3 payroll policy and process support to shared services and payroll vendors.
• Process Improvement & Compliance
• Evaluate existing payroll processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, and service quality.

• Maintain payroll documentation, including

• Payroll procedures
• SOPs
• Business requirements
• Checklists
• FAQs
• Support organizational change initiatives, including acquisitions, regulatory updates, and payroll process enhancements.
• Analyze payroll metrics and recommend improvements, including opportunities to leverage automation and AI.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management
• Build strong partnerships across HR, Payroll, Finance, Total Rewards, Benefits, and Workforce Administration.
• Serve as the primary liaison with payroll vendors to ensure service levels and issue resolution.
• Communicate effectively with business leaders regarding payroll operations, compliance, and ongoing initiatives.
• Team Leadership
• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of five payroll professionals.
• Promote cross-training, knowledge sharing, and continuous professional development.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented team environment.
• Required Experience
• 5–7+ years of UK payroll experience.
• 2–3+ years of Ireland payroll experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end payroll operations.
• Experience managing third-party payroll vendors.
• Strong knowledge of UK and Ireland payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and compliance.
• Experience documenting payroll processes and operational procedures.
• Ability to interpret payroll data and troubleshoot complex payroll issues.
• Experience leading payroll teams, including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Preferred
• SAP Payroll experience.
• Workday experience.
• Experience supporting payroll through acquisitions or organizational change.
• Continuous improvement or process optimization experience.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll calendars and competing priorities.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across global teams.
• Passion for service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Engagement Details

Duration

12-month consulting engagement

Client

Global information management enterprise

Workstream

UK & Ireland Payroll Operations

Team Leadership

5 payroll professionals

Focus Areas

Payroll operations, compliance, vendor management, process improvement, stakeholder management, and team leadership