Job Description At abrdn, we empower our clients to plan, save and invest for their futures. Through the expertise, insight and innovation of our team, we aim to help clients create more ways for money to make an impact. We set our sights on giving them more confidence to achieve their goals, and more clarity about what they need next. And we focus on delivering outcomes that are more than just financial – by investing sustainably to build a better world. Our Human Resources function has a vision that positions our Culture and Talent as a market differentiator and plays a key role in making our brand meaningful for colleagues. This encompasses creating the right culture, development opportunities, remuneration principles and organisational structures to attract, reward, retain, develop, and successfully deploy a high-calibre, impactful, diverse, and inclusive workforce. About the role Reporting to the Global Head of HR Operations, the Head of Global Payroll is a strategic and hands-on position responsible for the successful planning, execution, and delivery of global payroll services. The role holder will oversee and manage the successful outsourcing of our payrolls to a global payroll provider (fully managed services scope) across multiple locations worldwide, and the day-to-day delivery of global payroll operations and processes across all regions: UK, EMEA, APAC, Americas. You will lead and manage all aspects of the payroll functional areas to drive accuracy, consistency, and standardisation, whilst ensuring compliance with company policies, relevant legislation, statutory filing deadlines, payments, and SOX controls. Current operating model (2024) Payroll currently operates in a regional model, i.e., there is dedicated resource in the regions reporting to the Regional Heads of HR and working closely with local payroll vendors. The Head of Global Payroll will need to work closely with these regional stakeholders and oversee and influence the design and transition to a global operating model. Future operating model (2025) Payroll will operate in a global model, with a fully managed service delivered by a single payroll vendor. All retained global resource will report into the Head of Global Payroll. Activities required to perform in this role: Ensure that business as usual (BAU) continues, and colleagues are paid according to regional pay dates. Actively build a strong relationship with regional payroll resources, ensuring that the team are engaged with the new model and are managed, motivated, and developed to ensure a seamless transition between current and new model of operating. Lead global payroll from the current to future operating model, seeking a seamless transition for colleagues. Lead end-to-end project management of global payroll including planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of all project activities. Work closely with stakeholders from various departments, such as HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and IT to align payroll requirements, gather data, and define project objectives and timelines. Lead the RFP project to select the global payroll provider best matching the company requirements and constraints, lead contract validation with support of internal stakeholders (HR, Finance, Legal, Procurement, IT, etc.) Manage the implementation and transition to the new payroll in close collaboration with the chosen provider and internal stakeholders, ensuring they meet the needs of the organisation and comply with local regulations. Oversee relationships with the chosen global payroll service provider and technology vendors, ensuring effective delivery of services and that they are meeting their contractual obligations, e.g., service levels, pricing, provision of management information. Ensure that abrdn and our providers are up to date with local payroll laws, regulations, and reporting requirements in each country of deployment, and that we are compliant in all payroll activities. Develop and execute change management strategies to facilitate smooth transitions during the payroll deployment process, including training, communication, and stakeholder engagement, and that these are maintained beyond the implementation phase. Partner with the HR Leadership Team (HRLT) and key process owners, define and prioritise payroll activity to ensure key strategic priorities and cyclical processes are planned and implemented. Establish and implement quality assurance processes / requirements to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of payroll data and related processes in line with internal and external requirements. These may vary across regional areas. Identify potential risks and issues related to payroll deployments, develop mitigation plans, and escalate as necessary to ensure successful project outcomes. Develop and maintain payroll metrics and analytics to provide insights on payroll performance, costs, and trends. To be successful in this role you will need (minimum requirements): Proven experience working in global payroll as a Lead or in a similar role, managing payroll across multiple countries and regions. Experience working in a global organisation, Finance Services is preferred Experience of managing outsourced payroll providers. Strong knowledge of global payroll processes, regulations, and compliance requirements. Experience with Workday HCM and Payroll. Experience of payroll system implementations using cloud-based payroll platforms. Strong internal stakeholder and external supplier management skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with high attention to detail. Outstanding communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. A subject matter expert on all Payroll processing and best practice. Proficient in using payroll software, HRIS systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. A qualification in payroll is a plus. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. Therefore, if you have a disability and would like to apply to one of our UK roles under the Disability Confident Scheme, please notify us by completing the relevant section in our candidate questionnaire and one of our team will reach out to support you through your application process. Our Benefits There's more to working life than coming home with a good salary. We have an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported. When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around, including 40 days annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, a discretionary performance-based bonus (where applicable), private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount site amongst many others. You can read more about our benefits here. We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone. If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist. At abrdn, our purpose is to enable our clients to be better investors. abrdn plc manages and administers £496 billion of assets for clients, and has over 1 million shareholders (as of 30th June 2023). Our business is structured around three vectors – Investments, Adviser and Personal – focused on the changing needs of our clients. Across markets globally, we build investment solutions to enable clients to create more opportunities for their futures. Our platform technology and tools help UK wealth managers and financial advisers create more opportunities for their clients and their businesses. Our personal wealth business offers tailored services to help individuals in the UK create financially secure futures in a way that works for them. abrdn.com