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S09-A | Gemini | Observation 1

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Exact question

We are a Manchester-based employer changing payroll providers across the UK and Europe. We need a permanent Head of Payroll, hybrid in Manchester, to own supplier governance and the transition. Which recruitment firms should we approach for this senior hire?

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To hire a  Head of Payroll  tasked with managing complex vendor governance and leading a UK and European payroll transition, you should target recruitment firms with dedicated  payroll transformation/governance practices , strong  executive search capabilities , and a physical  Manchester / North West presence .

The specific recruitment firms to approach, categorized by their core strengths for this brief, are outlined below:

1. Dedicated Niche Payroll & HR Specialists

These firms focus exclusively on payroll and HR leadership. They hold deep candidate networks of senior payroll directors who specialize in vendor selection, international legislation, and EMEA payroll transitions.

JGA Recruitment Group

Focus:  Award-winning specialist agency for Payroll, HR, and Reward leadership.

Why them:  Highly respected in the UK payroll market. They frequently place senior leaders (Heads of Payroll, Payroll Transformation Directors) who manage multi-country (EMEA/Global) software migrations and vendor management.

HR Recruit (part of Executive Recruit Group)

Focus: Executive-level HR, Payroll, and Reward roles across Manchester and the North West.

Why them: Strong local presence on the ground in Manchester with access to senior payroll leaders who have experience running hybrid teams and managing third-party suppliers.

2. Senior Finance & Operations Executive Search

A Head of Payroll role focused on governance, compliance, and systems implementation often overlaps heavily with senior finance operations. These regional executive firms excel in leadership appointments in the North West:

Marks Sattin (Manchester)

Office Location: Cubo Manchester, Brazennose Street.

Focus:  Senior Finance, Payroll Operations, and Transformation search.

Why them:  Deeply connected in the local corporate market. They excel at finding senior operations leads capable of driving cross-border operational shifts and supplier management.

Nigel Wright Group (Manchester)

Office Location: The Lincoln, Lincoln Square, Manchester.

Focus: Executive Search and Specialist HR & Payroll recruitment across the North West.

Why them:  Known for handling complex, transformation-focused briefs for large regional and multinational corporate headquarters.

3. Global Agencies with Local Senior Practice Teams

For EMEA-wide vendor transitions, international payroll experience is crucial. These national/global firms have dedicated senior search teams in central Manchester with access to international candidate pools:

Page Executive / Michael Page (Manchester)

Office Location:  Spinningfields / Central Manchester.

Focus:  Executive search across HR, Finance, and Business Transformation.

Why them:  Excellent candidate access across both UK and European jurisdictions, ensuring candidates have solid working knowledge of European payroll frameworks (e.g., GDPR, local works councils, country-specific tax rules).

Robert Half Executive Search (Manchester)

Office Location: Corner Block, Quay Street, Manchester.

Focus:  Senior Finance, Systems, and Payroll Operations leadership.

Why them:  Strong track record in placing senior leaders who specialize in system implementations, vendor RFPs, and process restructuring.

Summary Recommendation Matrix

| Agency | Primary Strength | Best For... |
| --- | --- | --- |
| JGA Recruitment | Specialist Payroll & HR Search | Deepest specialist payroll networks and transition expertise. |
| Marks Sattin | Regional Finance/Operations Search | Strong local Manchester network for senior operational leaders. |
| Page Executive | International Reach & Senior Search | Candidates with complex multi-country UK & EMEA governance experience. |

Next Steps to Consider

RFP / Pitch Briefing:  Choose 2–3 agencies from the list above (e.g., one niche payroll specialist like JGA and one regional executive search firm like Marks Sattin or Page Executive) to pitch their candidate mapping in the North West.

Interim Option:  If the provider change is happening urgently, ask whether they recommend hiring a  Permanent Head of Payroll  directly, or starting with an  Interim Transformation Lead  while conducting the permanent search.

Would you like assistance in drafting a job specification or briefing document tailored to recruitment firms for this role?

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