National Payroll Lead Director

The key responsibilities of a National Payroll Lead Director will include:

Strategic Leadership and Governance:

• Steer the national payroll service line, aligning strategy across offices.
• Own and evolve the end-to-end payroll operating model.
• Lead change, transformation, and automation initiatives.
• Define and implement payroll offshoring strategy in collaboration with leadership.
• Represent payroll in firm-wide governance, advisory panels, and market forums.
• Oversee payroll vendor relationships and system performance.

Operational Oversight

• Monitor and manage payroll team performance (UK & offshore).
• Rebalance workload between onshore and offshore teams.
• Manage outsourced bureau operations and ensure compliance.
• Handle escalations, complex queries, and high-risk payroll matters.
• Approve payroll reports and ensure quality control across offices.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation (HMRC, RTI, pensions, GDPR).
• Maintain payroll offshoring risk framework, business continuity, and quality assurance.
• Monitor engagement risks and ensure consistent onshore/offshore delivery.

Client Relationship and Advisory

• Maintain senior client relationships, acting as the primary contact for key clients.
• Advise on payroll software, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Handle sensitive client scenarios and ensure satisfaction at all times.

Systems and Data Management

• Implementing and upgrading payroll systems, ensuring they meet operational and compliance needs and are compatible with other required platforms, and are suitable for offshore delivery.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, to improve efficiency and reporting, including automation that reduces UK processing effort and supports offshore scale.
• Managing data integrity, including client codes, KYC procedures, and engagement documentation, ensuring appropriate controls for offshore access and processing.
• Driving reporting improvements, such as timesheet tracking, billing metrics, and KPI dashboards, including offshore utilisation, and quality.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and mentor UK and offshore payroll teams.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Support staff career progression, including transitions to advisory or specialist roles.
• Develop offshore training pathways and uplift team capability.