Type: Full Time
Duration: Fixed Term – 3 Months
Location: London
Working Pattern: Minimum 2 days in the office, 3 days remote
Department: People Team
The Role
The Global Payroll Process Manager will play a critical role in shaping, delivering, and embedding the transition of global payroll services into the GBS model. This role will partner closely with HR functional leads, the Business Services Transformation (BST) Programme team, and stakeholders across regions to design and implement scalable, compliant, and operationally efficient global payroll processes.
This role combines advanced process improvement expertise with a strong focus on mapping, documenting, and supporting payroll transformation initiatives while operationalising service delivery models. The position includes senior-level responsibility for governance, stakeholder engagement, vendor partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure sustainable, compliant, and scalable service excellence.
The Team
The role sits within the People Team and will operate in close partnership with Payroll Operations, HR Operations, Centres of Excellence, HRIS, Finance, Treasury, Tech, and the Business Services Transformation Programme. The team is responsible for delivering a consistent, high-quality global payroll service and ensuring continued process improvement as the organisation transitions into a GBS model.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end‑to‑end process mapping, defining control points, dataflows, handoffs, and touchpoints across Payroll operations in alignment with the GBS model
- Develop and maintain Payroll operating procedures, process maps, workflows, and operating instructions across core areas and sub‑processes
- Document current and future‑state processes using best‑practice tools and methodologies, ensuring global consistency and local statutory compliance
- Collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders to gather, validate, and interpret detailed process information
- Establish standardised service catalogues, SLAs, and performance metrics
- Drive process harmonisation and optimisation during the transition to the new global payroll vendor and GBS model
- Ensure documentation quality, accessibility, and consistency, including version control protocols
- Support training and communications for new and revised processes
- Develop and embed governance frameworks including clear roles, accountability and escalation paths
- Support audit readiness, compliance reviews, and ongoing governance checks
- Champion adherence to HR processes and promote global standardisation
- Advise on dashboards and reporting to track programme progress and KPIs
- Analyse service and workforce data to identify risks, inefficiencies, and continuous improvement opportunities
- Partner with the programme lead to align on timelines, provide SteerCo updates, and ensure consistent stakeholder messaging
Essential Skills & Experience
Global Payroll & Process Expertise
- Practical understanding and experience of key global payroll processes and practices within professional services
- Strong understanding of global payroll compliance and statutory regulations across multiple geographies
- Experience working with global HR systems and regional/global payroll vendors
- Advanced skills in process mapping and documentation (SIPOC, RACI, swim lanes)
- Proven experience within GBS, Shared Services, or large-scale payroll transformation environments
Leadership, Governance & Collaboration
- Strong stakeholder management and cross‑functional leadership skills
- Ability to build relationships at all levels and influence decision‑making
- Experience developing governance frameworks, escalation pathways, and RACI structures
- Capable of working autonomously while effectively collaborating across teams
Analysis, Problem‑Solving & Project Delivery
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, able to interpret data and identify process improvements
- Understanding of project management principles and methodologies (Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma or equivalent desirable)
- Exposure to global payroll transformation programmes (desirable)
- Highly organised with a structured, methodical approach
What sets this role apart
- Opportunity to directly shape the transition to a new global payroll vendor and GBS operating model
- High visibility across the organisation, engaging with senior leaders and contributing to SteerCo reporting
- Ability to drive global process standardisation while balancing complex local statutory requirements
- Hands‑on impact in defining service catalogues, SLAs, governance structures and performance metrics
What’s in it for you
- Modern, flexible working – minimum 2 days in the office, 3 days from home
- Join an award‑winning global firm recognised within the legal sector for excellence and innovation
- Career progression and development – structured L&D programmes, secondment opportunities, and internal mobility across global offices
- Commitment to inclusion and social impact – global DEI initiatives, leadership development programmes, pro bono work, volunteering and sustainability efforts
- Perks include: life assurance from day one, season ticket loans, lifestyle discounts, annual Wellbeing Day, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and more
- Please note: eligibility for benefits may vary based on location and length of service.
The Firm
When you work at Clyde & Co, you join a team of 500 partners, 2,400 lawyers, 3,200 legal professionals and 5,500 people in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide. Our values are the principles that guide the decisions we make, unite us in our endeavours and strengthen our delivery, for both our clients and our firm. We work as one, excel with clients, celebrate difference and act boldly. We are committed to operating in a responsible way by progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities and clients it serves. We are devoted to providing an environment in which everyone can realise their potential, using its legal and professional skills to support its communities. We do this through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment, including through our commitment to the SBTi Net-Zero standard and the setting of ambitious emissions reduction targets.
Our Commitment
Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel at work. Therefore, we welcome and encourage all applications from suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background or identity. Learn more about our interview process.
A Note on Privacy
Please take a moment to read our privacy notice.. This describes what personal information Clyde & Co (we) may hold about you, what it’s used for, how it’s obtained, your rights and how to contact us as a data subject.
If you are submitting a candidate as a Recruitment Agency Partner, it is an essential requirement and your responsibility to ensure that candidates applying to Clyde & Co are aware of this privacy notice.
This is the job description as constituted at present; however, Clyde & Co reserves the right to reasonably amend it in accordance with the changing needs of the business.
