S04-B / Observation 2
Gemini
JGA recommended.
The full saved answer, its sources and the conditions under which it was collected.
Exact question
Who recruits senior payroll change leaders in the UK? We need someone to lead a multi-country payroll system implementation, not just run monthly payroll.
Original wording is preserved. Statements below are generated product output, not verified claims adopted by this report.
To recruit a senior lead for a multi-country payroll transformation —rather than a day-to-day operational manager—you need recruiters specializing in Payroll Transformation, HR Technology Implementation, and Business Change .
Because multi-country rollouts require strong governance, vendor management (e.g., ADP, Workday Payroll, Dayforce, Deel), software integration, and target operating model (TOM) design, your best options fall into three main categories:
1. Specialist Payroll Search Agencies
These agencies have dedicated practices for high-level payroll leadership, global transformations, and interim change management.
Middlemore: A UK executive search firm specifically focused on Global/EMEA Payroll Leadership and Payroll Transformation roles. They specialize in placing senior interim and permanent leaders who design global operating models and manage vendor rollouts. [Source 1]
Portfolio Payroll (Executive Division): The largest specialist payroll recruiter in the UK. While they cover operational roles, their Executive Search team specifically handles Director of Payroll, Head of Global Payroll, and Interim Transformation Leads for enterprise and FTSE businesses. [Source 2]
JGA Recruitment Group: A specialist HR and Payroll recruitment firm that frequently places transformation directors, project managers, and global payroll leads driving systems implementation. [Source 3]
2. Business Transformation & Change Specialists
If your focus is heavily on system integration, PMO, and change management (where global payroll knowledge is paired with formal transformation methodologies like Prince2, Agile, or Prosci), general change management recruiters excel here:
Badenoch + Clark / LHH: Strong footprint in large-scale HR, finance, and operational transformation interims across the UK.
Investigo (HR & Transformation Practice): Known for placing high-caliber change managers and program directors specializing in ERP, HR system, and international payroll migrations.
Oakleaf Partnership: Specialized HR & Payroll recruiters with a dedicated team handling HR systems, payroll transformation, and change management projects.
3. Large International Recruitment Consultancies
For cross-border implementation projects spanning multiple regions (UK, EMEA, APAC, LATAM), global agencies leverage nationwide and international candidate networks:
Robert Walters (HR & Payroll Transformation Division): Regularly handles Global Payroll Transformation Lead and Senior Systems Implementation roles.
Michael Page / Page Executive: Excellent for sourcing senior interim program managers experienced in global payroll consolidation.
Hays Senior Finance & HR Transformation: Highly active in filling contract and permanent program lead roles for ERP and payroll vendor migrations.
Engagement Strategy Recommendation
| Engagement Model | Best Used For... | Typical Candidate Profile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Interim / Contract Lead (6–18 months) | Leading the implementation, managing vendor delivery, and designing the global operating model. | Former Global Heads of Payroll or specialized Transformation Consultants. |
| Permanent Global Payroll Director | Leading the change project end-to-end and staying on to run the global team post-go-live. | Executive-level strategic payroll leaders. |
Suggested Next Steps
To help tailor this further:
Are you looking for an interim contractor to lead the transition or a permanent Head of Global Payroll?
Which core payroll software or HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, ADP GlobalView, Dayforce, Ceridian) are in scope for this rollout?
How we classified this answer
JGA is the third bullet within the unranked Specialist Payroll Search Agencies category. Category numbers are not agency ranks.
Recommendations, passing mentions and source-only appearances are counted separately. A list position is recorded only when explicit.
JGA names and entity evidence
JGA names in this answer: JGA Recruitment Group. JGA websites linked: jgarecruitment.com. Counts track the recruitment brand. Source domains and collection country do not alone establish which legal entity a recommendation refers to.
Supporting citations
Complete source record- middlemore.co.uk
Middlemore Payroll Search - Middlemore “Everything we do in payroll is driven by our deep proficiency. We partner with organisations to secure both specialist and senior leadership talent across the c...”
Middlemore global/EMEA payroll leadership and transformation scope.
https://middlemore.co.uk/payroll-search/
- theportfoliogroup.com
The Portfolio Group Expert Payroll Recruitment Agency - The Portfolio Group “ The largest specialist payroll recruiter in the UK. Supporting the payroll sector since 1988, Portfolio Payroll is the market-leading recruitment agency for pa...”
Portfolio executive payroll recruitment and enterprise leadership claim.
https://theportfoliogroup.com/payroll/
- jgarecruitment.com
JGA Recruitment Payroll Jobs London - JGA Recruitment Group “JGA Payroll Recruiters specialise in placing Payroll Manager Jobs, Payroll Supervisor Jobs, Client Payroll Jobs and Payroll Administrator Jobs across the UK. We”
JGA Recruitment Group transformation directors/project managers/global payroll implementation claim.
https://jgarecruitment.com/payroll-jobs-london/
Other links in the record
Recruiter and contact links
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Retrieved results, separate from supporting citations
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Related content links
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Source record coverage
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Saved evidence
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