Payroll Lead in London

Payroll Lead in London

London Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Tata Consultancy Services

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead payroll operations across the UK, Ireland, and Isle of Man, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
  • Company: Join TCS, a purpose-led transformation company making a meaningful impact globally.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health care, pension, and wellness initiatives.
  • Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
  • Why this job: Shape payroll strategy and enhance employee experience in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong payroll processing experience and excellent stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

Location: London, UK

Contract: Permanent

Mode of Working: Hybrid

Are you looking to leverage your skills in UK Payroll? We have a great opportunity for you – Payroll Lead! TCS is a purpose-led transformation company, built on belief. We do not just help businesses to transform through technology. We support them in making a meaningful difference to the people and communities they serve. Our clients include some of the biggest brands in the UK and worldwide.

The Role

As a Payroll Lead, you will oversee and manage end-to-end payroll operations across the UK, Ireland, and Isle of Man. This critical leadership position is responsible for delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll while driving process excellence and stakeholder confidence. The role also provides an opportunity to shape payroll strategy, enhance systems, and deliver a best‐in‐class employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

  • Oversee the full payroll cycle for each payroll (input, validation, processing, and post‐payroll activities)
  • Ensure accurate and timely processing of the payroll for all employees on each of the three payrolls
  • Review payroll outputs and produce reports to stakeholders
  • Ensure adherence to local tax, statutory, and regulatory requirements
  • Manage audits and resolve compliance issues
  • Maintain up‐to‐date knowledge of payroll legislation and system changes
  • Act as the primary contact for HR, Finance, and external vendors – Pension Providers
  • Manage escalations and ensure timely resolution of employee queries
  • Support business stakeholders with payroll insights and reporting
  • Identify opportunities for process optimisation and automation
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy and efficiency
  • Support payroll system implementations or upgrades

Skills & Experience

  • Strong experience in payroll processing and legislation (UK or relevant jurisdiction)
  • Proven ability to manage multi‐country payroll environments
  • High attention to detail with strong analytic and problem‐solving skills
  • Advanced Excel and data analysis capability
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast‐paced environment
  • Opportunity to lead payroll across multiple jurisdictions that directly influence accuracy, compliance, and employee experience
  • Lead payroll optimisation, system upgrades, and digital transformation initiatives beyond BAU processing
  • Hands‐on exposure to UK, Ireland, and Isle of Man payrolls, enhancing international payroll expertise
  • Leverage payroll data to provide business insights, contributing to broader HR and financial decision‐making
  • Collaborate closely with senior HR, Finance, and external partners, ensuring strong business alignment
  • Ideal role for professionals looking to transition into regional payroll leadership or broader Total Rewards roles

Rewards & Benefits

TCS offers competitive salary packages featuring pension, health care, life assurance, laptop, phone, extensive training resources, and discounts within the larger Tata network. We also provide health and wellness initiatives and sponsor sporting events such as the London Marathon.

Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Tata Consultancy Services UK&I is committed to meeting the accessibility needs of all individuals in accordance with the UK Equality Act 2010 and the UK Human Rights Act 1998. We welcome and embrace diversity in race, nationality, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender identity, age, physical ability, gender reassignment, and sexual orientation. We are a disability inclusive employer and encourage disabled people to apply for this role. As a Disability Confident Employer, we offer an interview to applicants with disabilities or long‐term conditions who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Please email UKI.recruitment@tcs.com to opt in or request adjustments to the application process.

For support with the application, please contact UKI.recruitment@tcs.com or call TCS London Office 02031552100 / +44 204 520 2575.

Payroll Lead in London employer: Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters professional growth and innovation. As a Payroll Lead, you will not only manage multi-country payroll operations but also have the opportunity to shape payroll strategy and enhance employee experience within a diverse and inclusive culture. With competitive benefits, extensive training resources, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, TCS stands out as a place where your contributions make a meaningful impact.

Tata Consultancy Services

Contact Details:

Tata Consultancy Services Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Payroll Lead in London

Join HR Networks

Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!

Make Your Presence Known

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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Tata Consultancy Services.

We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Lead in London

Payroll Processing
UK Payroll Legislation
Multi-Country Payroll Management
Attention to Detail
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Advanced Excel

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Tata Consultancy Services. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Tata Consultancy Services and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.

Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Tata Consultancy Services. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.

Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Tata Consultancy Services's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.

How to prepare for a job interview at Tata Consultancy Services

Brush Up on HR Best Practices

As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Tata Consultancy Services.

Know Your Recruitment Tools

Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!

Highlight Your People Skills

A full-time HR role at Tata Consultancy Services will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.

Stay Current with HR Trends

Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Tata Consultancy Services and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.