Director of payroll

Director of Payroll Permanent Monday - Friday Stockport £100 - £110k per annum benefits We're partnering with a leading professional services organisation to recruit a senior leader into their payroll function. This is a high-impact role within the senior leadership team , responsible for driving operational excellence across payroll systems, reporting, and support services. You'll play a critical role in enhancing payroll performance, improving processes, and enabling the wider payroll business to achieve its commercial and operational objectives. This role can be based in Stockport, Portsmouth or Glasgow. There will be regular travel to all of these sites for anyone in post. Key Responsibilities Reporting to the Director of Payroll Services, you will lead a specialist team delivering payroll systems support, third-party system integration, and management information (MI) across a large, multi-site payroll operation. This role is focused on continuous improvement, commercial performance, and scalable processes , ensuring the payroll function operates efficiently, profitably, and with best-in-class systems and reporting. Duties will include: Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for payroll systems support and reporting Drive operational improvements across the wider payroll function using data and MI insights Identify and deliver opportunities for margin enhancement and increased profitability Ensure delivery of accurate and timely billing, maximising revenue performance Champion continuous improvement initiatives, including automation, efficiency gains, and waste reduction Enable the wider payroll function to meet financial targets and deliver against budget Work closely with senior stakeholders to influence strategy and operational decisions Translate complex data into meaningful insights to support business performance Identify wider business improvement opportunities and collaborate cross-functionally Desired skills and experience Proven experience in a senior payroll operations, systems, or support leadership role Strong track record of driving performance improvements and operational efficiencies Highly analytical, with advanced Excel skills and the ability to interpret and present data effectively Commercially minded, with experience identifying opportunities to improve profitability Confident working with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical detail into business insight Leadership & Impact You will be a visible and influential leader who: Sets clear direction and drives high performance across teams Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation Supports business growth through data-driven decision-making Champions collaboration, inclusivity, and professional excellence Balances commercial, operational, and people priorities effectively In return Senior strategic opportunity within a global organisation Hybrid and flexible working Excellent career progression opportunities Supportive and collaborative environment Competitive salary and benefits package Excellent holiday package and opportunity to buy and sell holidays Life insurance 4 x salary This is a strategic leadership role offering the opportunity to shape and enhance a large-scale payroll operation within a highly regarded organisation. You'll have the autonomy and influence to drive meaningful change, supported by a collaborative senior leadership team and a business committed to growth and innovation. If you are ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you. Please apply now or contact Jo Thompson - jo@xpertrecruitmentltd.co.uk for more information. Feel free to contact me directly with any questions about the role or the recruitment process. Xpert Recruitment Ltd is acting as an employment agency on behalf of our client. By applying, you agree to register with us and consent to us holding your personal details on file. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact candidates who have been shortlisted for the role. However, we may also reach out regarding other suitable vacancies that match your profile.