Job Title: National Payroll Director
Location: North West or London (Hybrid with national travel)
Type: Permanent
Supporting a leading UK accountancy firm and part of a global network, combining international reach with a strong local presence.
Our people-first approach sets us apart. We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, investing heavily in learning, development, and career progression. This is an environment where individuals are empowered to grow, make an impact, and be part of a forward-thinking organisation.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced National Payroll Director to lead and shape a national payroll service line. This is a strategic leadership role with responsibility for driving operational excellence, innovation, and growth across both onshore and offshore delivery models.
You will play a key role in defining the future of payroll—enhancing scalability, improving processes, and ensuring the highest standards of compliance and client service.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the national payroll function, setting direction and ensuring alignment across regions
- Own and develop the end-to-end payroll operating model, including offshore delivery
- Drive transformation initiatives, including automation, digitisation, and AI adoption
- Shape and implement offshoring strategy and governance frameworks
- Represent payroll at senior leadership and governance levels
Operational Excellence
- Oversee payroll delivery across UK and offshore teams, ensuring accuracy and quality
- Optimise resource planning and workflow distribution across locations
- Standardise processes and systems to improve efficiency and scalability
- Manage escalations, complex cases, and high-value client deliverables
Risk & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation, including HMRC, RTI, pensions, and GDPR
- Lead risk management, quality assurance, and business continuity planning
- Maintain strong controls across offshore and outsourced delivery models
Client Leadership
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a senior point of contact
- Support business development and advisory services within payroll
- Handle complex client scenarios and provide strategic payroll guidance
Technology & Data
- Oversee payroll systems, vendor relationships, and technology strategy
- Drive system improvements, integrations, and automation initiatives
- Enhance reporting, MI, and performance dashboards
People & Culture
- Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing payroll teams
- Foster collaboration across regions and support a unified national model
- Build capability across both UK and offshore teams
About You
- Proven experience leading a national or multi-regional payroll function
- Strong background in payroll operations within a professional services or bureau environment
- Experience managing offshore or global delivery models
- Demonstrated success in transformation, automation, or process improvement initiatives
- Deep knowledge of UK payroll legislation and compliance
- Strong stakeholder management experience at senior leadership level
- Passion for developing teams and driving continuous improvement
Please contact or apply to this advert.
JGA Recruitment Group Ltd ("We") are committed to equality of opportunity for all applications regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We are also committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We are a specialist Payroll and HR recruitment agency and recruitment business defined in the Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (our business). These statements, together with our privacy notices, set out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you or that you provide to us will be processed by us.
