All answers / S04-A-claude-r2

S04-A | Claude | Observation 2

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Exact question

We are a UK employer replacing fragmented payroll systems across the UK and Europe. We need a UK-based Payroll Transformation Director who can lead the programme and work with HR, finance and technology teams. Which recruitment firms specialise in this kind of hire?

Complete saved answer

Several UK firms regularly place payroll leadership and transformation roles. I found these from their own pages and live vacancies, not from an independent ranking, so treat them as a longlist to test.

Specialist payroll and HR executive search (best fit for a Director-level hire)

• Frazer Jones:  Its payroll practice recruits executive payroll and benefits professionals with UK, EMEA and global remits. It offers executive search, permanent and interim recruitment. It has also advertised payroll transformation roles at manager and director level, and has run a search for a Director of Payroll who could lead and transform an existing UK payroll offering. [frazerjones
](https://frazerjones.com/nl/consultants/john-obrien) [personneltoday
](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401668095/uk-payroll-director/)

• The Portfolio Group:  It describes itself as the UK’s longest-established payroll specialist recruitment agency, covering the UK and Ireland, with an executive search offering. It may be strongest in the middle of the market, so check its depth at director level. [flippingbook
](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/478805754/54/)

• Middlemore:  This specialist firm covers Global Payroll, HR, HRIS, Finance and Reward. Its stated scope includes global payroll transformation, payroll implementation, programme management, data migration and vendor management. That matches your mix of payroll, technology and programme skills. [gpa
](https://gpa.net/blogs/directory/middlemore)

• SR Group:  It describes itself as global HR recruitment specialists operating across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the USA. It has recruited for EMEA payroll transformation roles. [personneltoday
](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401619034/emea-payroll-transformation-lead/)

Broader HR and finance firms with relevant mandates

• Michael Page Human Resources:  It has recruited for a UK Payroll Director role that owned payroll change and transformation projects. [personneltoday
](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401668095/uk-payroll-director/)

• Hays:  It has advertised a National Payroll Director role leading large-scale transformation programmes, as well as payroll migration project roles. [dwp
](https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/18125779)

• Robert Walters:  It is currently recruiting for global payroll implementation roles moving from a decentralised model to a consistent global solution, which closely mirrors your situation. [robertwalters
](https://www.robertwalters.co.uk/humanresources/jobs/rewardcompensationbenefits/1898940-global-payroll-implementation-lead---1218-months-ftc.html)

• Morgan McKinley:  It places EMEA payroll roles that include payroll transformation projects, though mostly at manager level. [morganmckinley
](https://www.morganmckinley.com/ie/jobs/cork/payroll-manager-emea/1104793)

Choosing between them

• Seniority:  Most vacancies I found are manager or lead level. For a true Director who spans HR, finance and technology, I would put the executive search practices (Frazer Jones, Middlemore, and the retained search arms of the larger firms) first.

• Profile:  You need someone who combines payroll leadership with programme delivery. Ask each firm for recent director-level placements that involved consolidating multi-country payroll onto a single platform or provider, and for how many of those candidates they could introduce now.

• Contractors:  If you want a contract or interim programme lead to start quickly, ask about their interim bench. Frazer Jones, Middlemore and Hays all offer interim solutions.

• Terms:  Ask about retained versus contingent fees, guarantee periods and how they handle European payroll experience (UK-only candidates often lack it).

Two or three firms, mixing one specialist boutique with one larger firm, is usually enough for a role this niche. I can draft a short brief or RFP questionnaire to send them if that would help.

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