ChatGPT
JGA not recommended.

ChatGPT said:

For this hire, I’d target HR transformation and payroll technology recruitment specialists , rather than recruiters who mainly place Payroll Managers, Payroll Directors or operational payroll leads.

You need someone who can own a multi-country payroll implementation end to end: selecting or deploying a platform, managing country-level requirements, integrating HRIS and finance systems, coordinating vendors, leading testing and migration, and delivering change across multiple jurisdictions.

The strongest candidates often have titles such as Global Payroll Transformation Director, Payroll Programme Director, Global Payroll Implementation Lead, or Director of Payroll & HRIS Transformation . They may come from a payroll provider, a large multinational, a systems integrator or a consulting firm.

The UK recruiters I’d contact first

These are the most relevant firms I found, prioritised for your brief rather than general payroll recruitment.

1. Middlemore

Best specialist starting point

They explicitly recruit global payroll leaders and cover payroll transformation, HRIS and payroll implementation, data migration, testing, governance and vendor management. This is very close to your requirement. Middlemore

Ask for: their senior global payroll transformation or programme delivery specialist.

[Visit Middlemore Payroll Search](https://middlemore.co.uk/payroll-search/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. Portfolio Payroll

A strong option for a senior interim or contract appointment. Its dedicated payroll recruitment practice covers permanent, executive and contract hiring.

Named contact: Patrick Day , Director of the Executive Division, who specialises in senior interim and contract roles and has experience with payroll project implementations. The Portfolio Group +1

[Contact Portfolio Payroll](https://www.portfoliopayroll.com/payroll/recruitment-services/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

3. Rise Group

Particularly relevant if the programme combines payroll with Workday, UKG, HRIS or finance transformation. Rise cites experience assembling implementation teams for UKG payroll and global payroll carve-outs.

Named contact: Joe , whose team has supported HR and finance technology implementations. UK - Europe - US

[Visit Rise Group](https://risegroup.io/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

4. Annapurna

Worth contacting for interim transformation leadership. It has advertised a global CloudPay implementation lead role involving Workday integration, multiple regions and transition into business-as-usual operations.

Named contact: Luca Vega , Manager – Interim HR & Transformation Solutions, associated with that recruitment brief. LinkedIn Jobs

[View the relevant recruitment listing](https://uk.linkedin.com/jobs/view/interim-payroll-transformation-lead-at-annapurna-4474050359?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

5. Robert Walters

A good route for senior programme appointments and fixed-term contracts. Its published roles include a Global Payroll Implementation Lead overseeing a multi-country managed-service implementation.

The relevant advertised contacts were Emily Connor for the interim programme role and Joshua Webster for a permanent payroll and benefits implementation role. Confirm their current remit before approaching. 12/18 months FTC +1

[Global payroll implementation recruitment](https://www.robertwalters.co.uk/humanresources/jobs/rewardcompensationbenefits/1898940-global-payroll-implementation-lead---1218-months-ftc.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

6. Oakleaf Partnership

Its dedicated payroll division recruits at senior level, including Global Payroll Implementation Managers and Global Payroll Directors, with interim and permanent coverage.

A useful additional option for a permanent hire or a senior payroll specialist. Oakleaf

[Visit Oakleaf Payroll](https://www.oakleafpartnership.com/business-areas/payroll/payroll-capabilities?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Who I would approach first

My shortlist would be:

1. Middlemore — for specialist global payroll transformation talent.

2. Portfolio Payroll — particularly if you need a senior interim leader quickly.

3. Rise Group — if the role is technology-heavy and closely linked to an HRIS implementation.

4. Annapurna — if you need someone to take ownership of an active transformation programme.

I would brief two or three firms in parallel and ask each for evidence of candidates who have personally led implementations, not simply managed payroll operations.

How to make sure they find the right person

Give the recruiter this distinction upfront:

• Must have: personally led an end-to-end multi-country payroll implementation, including design, vendor management, data migration, testing, cutover and go-live.

• Must have: experience managing country stakeholders and coordinating HR, Finance, IT and external implementation partners.

• Preferable: experience with your chosen platform or provider, such as Workday, CloudPay, UKG or another global payroll solution.

• Not sufficient: running BAU payroll, managing payroll teams or improving processes without ownership of a system implementation.

One question that will narrow this down considerably

Are you hiring an interim programme leader for a defined implementation or a permanent senior leader who will own the transformation and then run the global payroll function ?

That distinction changes which recruiter I would prioritise and the candidate networks I would target.