Payroll Lead Full Time

Are you a skilled payroll professional ready to lead payroll operations in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? We are looking for an experienced Payroll Lead to oversee the accurate and timely delivery of 24 global payrolls for approximately 600 employees. In this critical role, you’ll manage a Payroll Specialist, collaborate with payroll providers, and work closely with the People team, business leaders, and employees to ensure compliance with statutory regulations while resolving payroll queries.

With a strong focus on efficiency and process improvement, you will also lead initiatives to streamline payroll operations, including proposing new processes and contributing to the implementation of a new HRM software platform (approval pending). If you have a keen eye for detail, resilience, and a passion for enhancing employee experience, this is an exciting opportunity to make an impact and drive innovation within our people team!

Key Accountabilities:

• The interface with ESP’s external payroll bureaus, ensuring all changes are accurately captured, updated, and processed in payroll each month for all 24 countries across EMEA & APAC.
• Processing the monthly pension and benefit submissions & reconciliations for all relevant countries.
• Acting as a point of contact for all finance and employee queries relating to payroll and pension.
• Ensuring all payroll payments and associated taxes are calculated & paid according to relevant deadlines.
• Regularly reviewing and updating the employment cost calculators for each country ensuring all payroll costs are accurately captured.
• Ensuring compliance with local labour laws and legal requirements, including tax and pay law changes.
• Responsible for providing Gender Pay Gap and EU Pay Directive (as required) reporting and other related reporting data as required such as accruals, reconciliation, and budgeting.
• Checking and approving all payrolls.
• Ensuring the year-end reporting process is complete for all countries across EMEA & APAC.
• To undertake projects as directed by the VP, People.
• Work collaboratively with the People Experience Team, Global People Partner’s, and Finance teams.

Skills & Experience:

• Proven global payroll experience is essential (UK being the highest volume).
• Experience of using ADP iHCM & managed service software.
• Prior experience of working with multiple payroll providers and timelines.
• An ability to use a broad range of payroll software and platforms, as well as with strong analytical & numerical skills (with advanced skills in Word/Excel, including vlookups & pivots).
• Proficient using HRIS Systems (currently Cascade) and the ability to utilise data effectively.
• Structured, organised and can work to deadlines with the ability to prioritise and demonstrable time management skills.
• Ability to work with a high volume of queries received through own and shared mailboxes.
• Proactive, positive approach, able to build relationships and work with an array of internal and external stakeholders of all levels, coupled with excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• Proven global payroll capability and knowledge of outsourced global payroll providers.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Extremely change management focused with a process improvement mindset.

The role offers:

• Competitive basic salary
• Car allowance
• 4 x Basic Salary Life Assurance
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme (with Employer contribution)
• PMI (including Dental cover, Physical and Mental Health cover, Online GP appointments, Gym discounts)
• Salary Sacrifice Electronic Vehicle Scheme
• Perkbox – access to a portal of high street discounts
• Access to a wealth of free learning and development training.
• Our current working environment is 3 days per week office based at our Reading Headquarters and 2 days from home per week.

Who are we:
Since 1992, ESP Global Services has delivered 24/7 customized IT support, managing over 1,000 tickets daily for 200+ customers worldwide. With expert teams of on-site and visiting engineers, and a multi-lingual service desk, we provide tailored solutions for industries like aviation, where speed, security, and efficiency are critical. Our global IT hardware lifecycle management, backed by ITIL-aligned and ISO-accredited standards, ensures seamless support across multiple international locations. At ESP, we are a passionate, ethical, and security-focused community, driven by a shared vision to exceed customer expectations every time.

Join a team that prioritizes excellence—our ISO 9001 certification reflects our commitment to quality and superior customer service.

ESP Global Services is an equal opportunity employer.