Global Payroll & Client Relationship Manager
- Permanent
- Salary: £75,000-£90,000
- Location: London
- Working Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days per week in the office
Oakleaf Partnership is working with a leading global professional services organisation to recruit a Global Payroll Manager to support one of its most significant strategic client relationships.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys working closely with clients, building trusted relationships and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Supporting a major financial services client, you will become their first point of contact for global payroll matters, acting as the subject matter expert and trusted adviser to senior stakeholders, including C-suite executives.
Operating across more than 90 countries, this is a highly visible role where you can use your technical payroll expertise in a more strategic, commercially focused position. Rather than managing payroll processing directly, your focus will be on client engagement, service delivery, global coordination and resolving complex payroll challenges.
The Role
You will take ownership of the day-to-day relationship with a high-profile global client, becoming the central point of contact for payroll-related matters. Working with local payroll specialists and external providers across multiple jurisdictions, you will ensure the client receives a consistent, seamless and high-quality service.
You will need to be confident communicating with stakeholders at all levels, able to explain complex payroll matters clearly and comfortable taking ownership of issues from initial query through to resolution.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Acting as the primary contact and trusted payroll expert for a major global client, building strong relationships with senior and C-suite stakeholders.
- Coordinating payroll delivery across multiple countries, working closely with local payroll teams and external providers.
- Managing client queries and escalations, taking ownership and ensuring timely, effective resolution.
- Providing expert payroll guidance, translating technical information into clear advice and practical recommendations.
- Leading service reviews and stakeholder meetings, monitoring performance and maintaining high service standards.
- Identifying payroll risks, regulatory developments and opportunities to improve service delivery.
- Supporting global payroll transitions, implementations and ongoing service enhancements.
- Proactively identifying ways to improve the client experience and strengthen the strategic relationship.
Skills and Experience
We are looking for a technically strong payroll professional who is equally confident building relationships, communicating with clients and influencing senior stakeholders.
You will ideally have:
- Extensive UK payroll experience, with strong knowledge of payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, year-end processes and pensions.
- Experience overseeing or coordinating global, multi-country payroll operations.
- A strong customer and client service mindset, with a genuine enjoyment of being the first point of contact and building lasting relationships.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders and C-suite executives.
- The ability to act as a subject matter expert, explaining complex payroll matters clearly and providing credible advice.
- Experience managing escalations, resolving complex queries and coordinating multiple teams across different jurisdictions.
- A commercial and proactive approach, with the ability to anticipate client needs and identify service improvements.
- A background in payroll processing or operations, alongside an interest in moving into a more strategic, relationship-led role.
- Experience within payroll outsourcing, managed services or financial services would be advantageous. A CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll certification would also be beneficial.
Why Work Here?
This is an opportunity to take your payroll career in a different direction, moving beyond traditional payroll management into a strategic role where your expertise, communication skills and ability to build relationships will be highly valued.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Build senior-level relationships: Become a trusted adviser to a major financial services client, working directly with senior stakeholders and C-suite executives.
- Use your expertise differently: Apply your payroll knowledge in a strategic, advisory and client-facing capacity rather than focusing on day-to-day processing.
- Gain global exposure: Coordinate payroll services across an international network spanning more than 90 countries.
- Make a real impact: Take ownership of the client experience, influence service quality and drive continuous improvement.
- Develop your career: Gain valuable commercial and relationship management experience within an established global organisation.
If you are an experienced payroll professional who enjoys working with clients, building relationships and being the person people turn to for expert advice, this is an opportunity to take your career in a more strategic and commercially focused direction.
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