Global Payroll Project Lead

Overview

Global Payroll Project Lead – Full Time, Fixed Term (9 months), London. Drive the successful delivery of a global payroll transformation programme, including the implementation of outsourced payroll services across multiple regions. Work closely with HR, Finance, Technology and external service providers to lead the end‑to‑end project lifecycle, ensuring a seamless transition to a scalable, efficient and compliant payroll operating model.

• Lead a Global Payroll Transformation Programme – Take ownership of the end‑to‑end payroll outsourcing implementation, from project initiation through to go‑live and post‑implementation support; manage milestones, deliverables, timelines and budgets; drive collaboration across global and regional teams.
• Partner with Key Stakeholders – Gather requirements, define scope, align on business objectives; build relationships with senior stakeholders, ensure communication throughout the project and support business readiness and change management across impacted regions.
• Drive Process Improvement and Operational Excellence – Review current payroll processes, identify opportunities for standardisation, streamlining and stronger controls; implement improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, compliance and employee experience; establish best‑practice payroll processes.
• Design a Future‑Focused Payroll Operating Model – Define and implement a sustainable global payroll service delivery model; reduce operational risk, improve resilience; ensure reporting, data insights and system integrations meet business and strategic requirements.
• Manage Third‑Party Vendors – Act as the primary point of contact for external payroll providers during implementation and transition; monitor performance against SLAs and project commitments; ensure service delivery meets operational, compliance and business expectations.
• Enable Successful Adoption – Develop training materials and deliver knowledge‑transfer sessions; support users through process changes and new tools.
• Manage Risk and Governance – Identify and mitigate project risks, issues and dependencies; establish governance and reporting structures; provide regular updates to sponsors and senior leadership.

• Significant experience leading payroll transformation, payroll outsourcing or large‑scale payroll implementation projects within a multinational organisation.
• Proven track record of delivering complex global payroll programmes from planning through to implementation.
• Strong understanding of payroll operations, outsourcing models and payroll compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Excellent project management skills and experience with structured project methodologies;
  Agile experience is advantageous.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, able to engage effectively at all levels.
• Experience managing third‑party suppliers and service providers.
• Confidence working with payroll systems, data, reporting and integrations.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and process improvement capabilities.

• Modern, flexible working – a minimum of 2 days each week in the office, 3 days from home.
• An award‑winning global firm with structured learning and development programmes, secondment opportunities and internal mobility.
• Perks including life assurance from day one, season ticket loans, lifestyle discounts, an annual Wellbeing Day, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and more.
• Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and length of service; full details will be confirmed upon joining.

Clyde Co is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel at work.