Global Payroll & Benefits Implementation Lead

This is a critical role responsible for implementing a global payroll managed service and a global benefits platform, moving from a decentralised model to a consistent, controlled, and scalable global solution.

You will lead a complex, multi country programme and play a key role in shaping the future of payroll and benefits delivery across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

You will be accountable for the end to end programme delivery, including:

Programme Leadership

• Lead the delivery of the global payroll managed service and benefits platform implementation
• Define programme strategy, scope, delivery approach and governance framework
• Establish and manage programme plans, RAID logs, reporting and steering forums

Implementation & Delivery

• Oversee full lifecycle delivery: design, build, testing, parallel runs, go live and stabilisation
• Lead supplier mobilisation and hold vendors accountable to milestones, deliverables and quality standards
• Deliver a phased country rollout, starting with the UK and expanding globally

Governance & Risk

• Establish robust governance structures, controls and decision-making processes
• Manage programme risks, dependencies and issues, ensuring timely escalation and resolution
• Ensure all processes are audit-ready and compliant with regulatory and corporate standards

Data, Integration & Controls

• Oversee payroll data readiness, validation and migration
• Own integration delivery across HR systems, finance outputs and third-party providers
• Ensure strong financial and operational controls (reconciliations, approvals, audit evidence)

Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Collaborate across People, Finance, IT, Tax, Risk and external vendors
• Engage senior stakeholders, providing clear reporting, insights and recommendations
• Coordinate global and local teams to ensure readiness for each rollout phase

Transition to BAU

• Manage transition into steady-state operations
• Define service governance, SLAs, KPIs and operating model
• Ensure effective knowledge transfer and handover

Skills & Experience

We are looking for a proven programme leader with:

• Significant experience delivering global payroll transformations and/or benefits platform implementations
• Track record of managing complex, multi-country programmes and phased rollouts
• Strong understanding of global payroll operations, controls, compliance and risk
• Experience working with managed service providers and third-party vendors
• Knowledge of HR and payroll systems (e.g. Workday) and integration landscapes
• Strong programme delivery expertise including planning, RAID, cutover and governance
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior level
• Experience operating in regulated or complex corporate environments

• Strong leadership and ownership mindset
• Highly organised with attention to detail
• Commercially aware and solutions-focused
• Confident communicator with executive presence
• Able to navigate complexity and drive delivery across multiple stakeholders