Payroll Lead

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.