International Director of Payroll

Department: Finance 

Reports To: VP of Finance

Location: London, United Kingdom

Overview

The International Director of Payroll oversees the strategic direction, governance, and operational excellence of the company’s global payroll function. This role ensures accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across multiple countries and regions where the company operates, aligning with local laws, tax requirements, and corporate policies. The ideal candidate will lead the global payroll team, manage vendor relationships, and drive innovation through automation, standardization, and process optimization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a global payroll strategy that supports the company’s international growth and workforce expansion.
  • Establish and enforce consistent payroll governance and compliance frameworks across all regions.
  • Partner with Finance, HR, Legal, and local business units to align payroll operations with broader business goals.
  • Lead payroll due diligence and integration activities for new market entries and acquisitions.

Operational Management

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for all international markets, ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and compliance.
  • Implement scalable payroll processes that accommodate diverse employment structures (e.g., retail stores, corporate offices).
  • Maintain oversight of international payroll vendors and systems, ensuring cost-effectiveness and performance quality.
  • Oversee payroll-related general ledger reconciliations, funding, and financial reporting.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure payroll operations comply with all relevant labor, tax, and data privacy laws globally.
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory changes in global markets and proactively update policies and processes.

Technology & Process Optimization

• Drive the digital transformation of payroll through system upgrades, automation tools, and integrations with HRIS and payroll platforms.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, transparency, and employee experience.
  • Collaborate with IT to maintain system security and data integrity across platforms.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing global payroll team distributed across multiple regions.
  • Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across international payroll teams.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, and service excellence.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 5 years in a global leadership role.
  • Experience in the retail industry or other high-volume, multi-entity environments strongly preferred.
  • Proven track record in managing multi-country payrolls across Europe and APAC.
  • Strong knowledge of global payroll systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, ADP, Celergo, GlobalView, CloudPay).

Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of international payroll regulations, tax laws, and employment compliance.
  • Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
  • Excellent communication and cross-cultural collaboration skills.
  • High proficiency with payroll systems, HRIS, and financial reporting tools.