Job Description
Interim Associate Director, Payroll & Benefits12 mnth FTC with the potential of a permanent opportuity afterwardsUp to £100,000 + Discretionary Bonus + Excellent BenefitsCanary Wharf, London - 4 days in the office, 1 day from homeOakleaf Partnership are partnering with a highly regarded and well-established professional services organisation to recruit an interim Associate Director, Payroll & Benefits on a 12 month FTC. This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-profile leadership role with genuine scope to shape the future of payroll and benefits within a complex and evolving business.What the role is:You will take overall responsibility for payroll, benefits and pensions for approximately 1,400 employees across multiple UK entities.Leading a team of six, you will ensure the smooth and compliant delivery of several monthly payrolls covering both salaried and shift-based employees.Alongside business-as-usual leadership, you will review and optimise Workday, strengthen controls and reporting, assess the current operating model and lead key projects, including the potential implementation of a new benefits platform.This is a highly visible role that partners closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, HR and the wider business.Key responsibilities:Lead the Payroll and Benefits function, managing a team of sixOversee the accurate and timely processing of multiple monthly payrollsEnsure compliance across payroll, pensions and benefitsDrive optimisation of Workday and payroll-related systemsIdentify and deliver process improvements and transformation initiativesEvaluate and implement a benefits platformSupport annual bonus, LTIP and salary review processesProduce payroll reporting, including gender and ethnicity pay gap dataPartner closely with HR and Finance to deliver a best-in-class serviceSkills and ExperienceSignificant experience leading payroll and benefits within a complex organisationStrong technical expertise in UK payroll legislation, pensions and complianceProven experience delivering payroll transformation and process improvementAdvanced Workday knowledge and systems optimisation experienceA supportive, resilient and collaborative leadership styleExcellent stakeholder management and communication skillsStrong Excel and analytical skillsExperience implementing a benefits platform would be advantageousWhy join this organisation?This is a business with a strong reputation, substantial investment and a clear commitment to modernising its people and finance infrastructure. Payroll is increasingly recognised as a strategic function, and this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact.You will inherit a technically strong and dedicated team that is eager for leadership, direction and development.
The business is open to fresh ideas and willing to invest in systems, technology and process improvements to create a best-in-class payroll and benefits function.For someone who enjoys combining operational leadership with strategic transformation, this role offers the autonomy, visibility and support needed to deliver meaningful change.TPBN1_UKTJ