Howden
International Payroll Lead
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About the Role
The International Payroll Lead sits within the HR Operations function, reporting to the Head of UK HR Operations. This role is accountable for the governance, delivery and continuous improvement of payroll operations across multiple international locations, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time and in line with all statutory, regulatory and internal requirements. Acting as Howden's payroll subject matter expert, the role partners with HR, Finance, Reward, Tax, Legal and external providers to deliver a compliant, scalable and employee-focused payroll service.
What you'll be doing
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of international payroll operations across multiple countries and outsourced payroll providers.
- Ensure payrolls are processed accurately, compliantly and in line with agreed payroll calendars, service levels and business requirements.
- Establish and maintain robust payroll governance, controls and operating standards that minimise risk and support compliance.
- Manage payroll providers to ensure service delivery, performance and accountability consistently meet business expectations.
- Oversee payroll reconciliations, reporting, funding requirements and audit activities, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Partner with HR, Finance, Reward, Tax and Legal teams to manage legislative changes, organisational change and payroll-related risk.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll, compliance and governance matters across the organisation.
- Drive standardisation, simplification and automation across payroll processes, improving efficiency and employee experience.
- Lead payroll workstreams associated with acquisitions, integrations, organisational change and international expansion activities.
- Provide payroll insight, management information and performance reporting to support business decision-making.
- Develop, coach and support payroll team members, building capability and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
- Champion data integrity, ensuring payroll information is managed securely and in accordance with GDPR and other applicable data privacy requirements.
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Who we're looking for
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Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- Significant experience leading international payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries within a complex organisation.
- Proven experience managing outsourced payroll providers and global payroll delivery models.
- Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, pensions, social insurance and statutory reporting requirements.
- Experience leading payroll teams and developing capability, performance and service delivery standards.
- Demonstrable experience managing payroll controls, audits, compliance frameworks and governance requirements.
- Strong stakeholder management experience, partnering effectively with HR, Finance, Reward, Tax, Legal and senior business leaders.
- Hands-on experience with Workday, CloudPay or comparable global payroll platforms.
- Experience delivering payroll-related projects, process improvements, systems enhancements or organisational change initiatives.
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