UK Payroll Director
6 days ago
Manchester
Your new company \n\nHAYS are excited to bring you this exciting opportunity,\n\nThe UK Payroll Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the firm's Payroll Services function across the UK. This includes responsibility for multiple regional payroll teams, as well as the governance and performance of both onshore and offshore delivery centres. The role ensures excellence in service delivery, compliance with UK legislation, and supports continued growth in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment within a top 10 accounting firm.\nThis position requires a commercially minded leader with deep technical payroll expertise, strong people leadership skills, and a proven ability to drive transformation, standardisation and operational efficiency across complex, multisite teams.\n\nYour new role \n\nStrategic Leadership & Governance\n\nDevelop and deliver the national payroll strategy for the UK, aligned with the firm's wider outsourcing and advisory objectives.\nSet consistent standards, controls, and best‑practice frameworks across all payroll locations and service lines.\nEnsure operational resilience, incorporating business continuity planning and appropriate risk management.\nLead large-scale transformation programmes, including technology modernisation, automation, and process optimisation.Operational Management\n\nOversee day-to-day operations for high‑volume and complex payroll portfolios across multiple sectors.\nManage performance across onshore and offshore teams, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to SLAs.\nEnsure compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements for the UK, including HMRC, pensions, and industry‑specific requirements.\nDrive continuous improvement and standardisation across workflows, tools, and delivery centres.\nClient Leadership & Commercial Growth\n\nAct as senior escalation point for key national clients, including resolving high-risk issues.\nImplement new clients and upgrade payroll systems \nSupport business development activity, including pitches, proposals, and pricing strategies.\nIdentify opportunities to expand the payroll offering, cross-sell wider services, and enhance client value.\nProvide technical insight and thought leadership to internal and external stakeholders.People Leadership\n\nLead, inspire, and mentor a diverse workforce of payroll managers, team leaders, and specialists across multiple sites.\nEnsure effective workforce planning, succession planning, and capability development across the function.\nFoster a collaborative, high‑performance culture focused on quality, compliance, and exceptional service.\nOversee performance management, skills development, and continuous professional learning.\nWhat you'll need to succeed \n\nEssential\n\nProven experience in a senior payroll leadership role within a large accounting firm, BPO, or complex multisite organisation.\nDeep technical understanding of UK payroll legislation, compliance, and best practice.\nExperience managing large teams across multiple locations, including offshore delivery.\nDemonstrable track record of delivering operational transformation and process improvement.\nStrong commercial acumen and experience in supporting revenue growth and client development.\nExcellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and new/existing clients\nHighly numerate, analytical, and confident working with KPIs, SLAs, and operational metrics. \n\nWhat you'll need to do now\n\nIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV , or call us now.\nIf this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.\n\nHays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)