Lead and manage end-to-end payroll operations for 21 countries, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and process improvements while overseeing a global team of payroll specialists.
We are seeking an experienced Global Payroll Manager (FTC until 1st December 2026) to lead and manage end-to-end payroll operations across 21 countries in the UK, EMEA and APAC regions, supporting circa 810+ employees. This role has full ownership of global payroll delivery, vendor management, compliance, systems implementation and process optimisation.
You will ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, oversee statutory reporting and year end activities, and act as the escalation point for complex payroll matters. Working closely with HR, Recruitment and Finance, you will drive continuous improvement, maintain compliance with global payroll regulations, and lead a team of payroll administrators through coaching, development and performance management.
This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone with strong technical payroll expertise, a global mindset and a passion for improving payroll processes at scale. This is a critical role requiring a seasoned Global Payroll Manager to take immediate ownership of the international payroll function. The primary focus is on ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and efficiency of payroll across all covered jurisdictions.
Required Skills and Experience
- International Payroll Approval: Proven ability to accurately run, review, approve, and sign off on international payroll runs across multiple countries and currencies, ensuring all local statutory and tax requirements are met.
- Management Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a dedicated global payroll management role, including direct experience with team reporting, performance management, and developing payroll specialists.
- Software Proficiency:
- Deel: Essential working knowledge of the Deel platform for managing EOR payroll.
- Workday: Hands-on experience with Workday, particularly in the context of payroll integration and implementation projects.
- Global Experience is Essential: Deep, practical experience managing complex, multi-country payroll operations is a non-negotiable requirement.
- Implementations: Proven track record in managing and executing payroll system implementations and significant process improvement projects (e.g., implementing new benefits into payroll and Workday).
- Employer of Record (EOR) Management: Extensive experience working with and managing third-party EOR providers, ensuring compliant and timely payment for employees in jurisdictions where we do not have a local entity.
- Provider Management: The successful candidate must be adept at managing and optimising relationships with external payroll providers, including specific and essential knowledge of the Deel platform
Team Management and Scope
- Team Size: You will be managing a distributed global team of 4 payroll specialists:
- 2 team members based in the United Kingdom (UK)
- 2 team members based in South Africa (SA)
- Geographic Coverage: The role is responsible for overseeing payroll in approximately 21 countries, spanning both the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions.
Additional Responsibilities
- Own, develop and maintain global payroll policies, procedures, controls and documentation, ensuring data security and compliance.
- Review, validate and formally sign off payroll outputs across all countries.
- Manage country-specific payroll obligations, including tax statutory reporting on benefits.
- Oversee benefits administration, as pension management, including contribution submissions.
- Act as a key point of contact for payroll-related queries from employees and country stakeholders.
- Support internal and external finance audits related to payroll.
- Develop and deliver payroll training to Payroll, HR, Finance teams and wider employees.
- Support the recruitment and onboarding of any new payroll team members as requ
Top Skills
Deel
Workday
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