Claude
JGA not recommended.

Based on my search, these are the firms that look most relevant. I haven’t vetted their track records, so treat this as a starting shortlist.

Frazer Jones

is probably the strongest fit. It’s a global HR recruitment and executive search firm with a dedicated payroll practice that covers UK and EMEA payroll leadership roles. John O’Brien, its Executive Director and Head of Payroll, recruits executive payroll and benefits professionals with UK, EMEA and global remits. He has also spoken at payroll industry forums. The firm also appears to have a US presence, since it recently hosted a payroll event in New York City. That could help with your US headquarters angle.

[Book a consultation +3](https://www.frazerjones.com/?p=140035)

Oakleaf Partnership

is a UK HR recruitment consultancy that regularly advertises senior payroll roles. Examples include a Head of Global Payroll role covering the UK, EMEA, LATAM and APAC. Another was a Head of Payroll EMEA role managing payroll providers across 22 countries. Another was a Regional Head of Payroll Governance role covering EMEA and the Americas. This suggests a good candidate network for multi-country leadership. Oakleaf describes itself as the UK’s largest independent HR recruitment consultancy.

[Head of Global Payroll +3](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401574274/head-of-global-payroll/)

Morgan McKinley

is worth considering too. It runs both HR and executive search practices and recruits EMEA payroll roles. One role it handled asked for experience at a US-listed global technology firm, which is close to your requirement. Its listings I found were mostly manager-level, so ask whether it handles head-of-function searches.

[morganmckinley](https://www.morganmckinley.com/ie/jobs/cork/payroll-manager-emea/1104793)

Questions to put to any of them

• Have they placed heads of payroll who report into a US HQ, ideally into a CFO or CHRO?

• Can they show multi-country experience across the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, the Nordics and so on?

• Do they have candidates with experience of outsourced payroll bureaus and vendor management?

• Is the search retained or contingent, and what are the fees and guarantee terms?

Practical notes

• Candidates should be comfortable with US-style working: SOX controls, US-listed reporting cycles and time zone overlap.

• Check that candidates have experience of systems such as Workday, ADP or SAP.

• Salary benchmarks in the listings I found were roughly £75k–£120k, but those were older postings. Ask recruiters for current market rates before setting your budget.

If you tell me your industry, headcount and the countries involved, I can help you draft a brief to send to recruiters or a job spec.