Catalyst Partners
Payroll Transformation Manager
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About the Role
Our client is an established and rapidly growing international business seeking a hands-on Payroll Transformation Manager to join their payroll function on a 6-month fixed-term contract. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced payroll change professional to make an immediate impact within a business undergoing significant operational transformation.
Reporting directly to senior leadership, you will initially focus on the UK payroll function, assessing current processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing practical solutions to improve efficiency, reduce risk and increase automation. Working closely with the Global Payroll Manager and key stakeholders across HR and Finance, you will play a pivotal role in helping shape the future payroll operating model.
Following the initial UK-focused phase, the remit is expected to broaden into wider international payroll transformation projects, giving the successful candidate the opportunity to influence payroll operations on a global scale.
This role would suit someone who has successfully entered complex payroll environments, assessed current-state processes, implemented meaningful improvements and moved organisations towards a more scalable and efficient payroll function. The successful individual will be comfortable operating both strategically and hands-on, bringing a calm, collaborative approach whilst coaching and supporting stakeholders through change.
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Key Responsibilities
- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing UK payroll processes, controls and workflows
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual intervention and increase automation
- Develop and implement practical process improvement initiatives and payroll best practices
- Partner closely with the Global Payroll Manager to support and embed operational changes
- Provide recommendations on future-state payroll processes, controls and operating models
- Work with HR, Finance and Payroll stakeholders to drive business-wide transformation initiatives
- Support key payroll events including pay reviews, commissions, benefits and bonus cycles
- Coach and guide payroll stakeholders through periods of change, ensuring engagement and adoption
- Collaborate with offshore payroll support teams to optimise ways of working
- Contribute to the future transformation of international payroll operations following the initial UK-focused phase
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About You
- Ability to start ASAP and willingness to be on-site in Central London 3 days per week
- Proven experience leading payroll transformation, optimisation or change initiatives
- Strong UK payroll knowledge and understanding of payroll legislation and compliance
- Demonstrable track record of reviewing payroll functions and implementing process improvements
- Comfortable operating in environments where processes are evolving and require transformation
- Able to balance strategic thinking with a willingness to be hands-on when needed
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Calm, resilient and unflappable approach, with the ability to support and coach colleagues through change
- Commercially minded with a pragmatic, solutions-focused mentality
- Payroll systems experience essential; exposure to payroll automation and process redesign projects highly advantageous
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