ChatGPT
JGA recommended.

For a six-month leadership gap at Global Head of Payroll level, I’d prioritise recruiters with a proven payroll leadership network, access to experienced interim executives, and the ability to run a permanent executive search in parallel.

The key is to find someone who can take immediate accountability for global payroll operations — not simply a senior payroll manager who can keep the monthly cycle running.

My recommended shortlist

I’d start with these five firms, in this order, based on their publicly described specialisms and fit for your two-part brief.

1. Middlemore

Best for global payroll leadership

Middlemore specifically recruits global payroll talent across the UK, EMEA and US, covering interim and permanent senior leaders, global payroll transformation, governance, compliance, HRIS and vendor management. This is particularly relevant if the departing leader owns a multinational payroll operating model, not just UK payroll delivery. Middlemore +1

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

2. Oakleaf Partnership

Best for a like-for-like interim

Oakleaf explicitly advertises both interim and permanent payroll recruitment, and lists previous placements for Global Head of Payroll and Interim Head of Payroll. That is unusually close to your immediate requirement. Oakleaf +1

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

Telephone: 020 7220 7030

3. Frazer Jones

A strong option when you want executive-level search capability alongside interim cover. Its payroll practice offers executive search, permanent hiring and interim or fractional payroll professionals, with an international HR recruitment network. Frazer Jones +1

Contact: [Frazer Jones — Payroll recruitment](https://www.frazerjones.com/get-in-touch/book-a-consultation/payroll/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

UK payroll contact listed: John O’Brien, Executive Director and Head of Payroll — +44 20 7415 2171.

4. Portfolio Payroll

A dedicated payroll recruiter with separate permanent, executive search and temporary/contract capabilities. It is worth testing for speed of interim delivery and the depth of its senior payroll candidate network. Portfolio Payroll +1

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

Telephone: 020 7247 9455

5. JGA Recruitment Group

A payroll and HR recruitment specialist worth adding to the shortlist for its permanent, temporary and contract hiring capabilities. Ask specifically for senior global payroll leadership rather than assuming its broader payroll coverage extends to your level. CIPP +1

Contact: [JGA Recruitment Group](https://jgarecruitment.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Telephone: +44 1727 800377

How I would run the assignment

I would brief Middlemore, Oakleaf and Frazer Jones first, then use Portfolio Payroll as a further source of interim candidates. Ask each firm to demonstrate that it can deliver both parts of the assignment rather than treating them as separate generic vacancies.

| Requirement | What to ask for |

| --- | --- |

| Interim appointment | A shortlist of available senior leaders within days, with realistic start dates and six-month availability |

| Global scope | Direct accountability for multiple countries, payroll providers, controls, escalations and local compliance |

| Transformation | Experience with payroll consolidation, vendor transitions, HRIS or global payroll technology, if relevant to your business |

| Permanent search | A mapped target market, discreet outreach to passive candidates and a clear search timetable |

| Handover | An interim leader who can document the operating model and support the permanent hire's transition |

A suggested opening brief

You could send the following to the firms:

Email

Subject

Confidential: Interim Global Head of Payroll and permanent executive search

We are seeking a senior interim Global Head of Payroll for an initial six-month assignment, alongside a search for a permanent replacement. The interim will need to provide immediate leadership continuity, oversee global payroll operations and controls, manage key stakeholders and payroll providers, and maintain operational stability while the permanent search progresses. We are looking for candidates with demonstrable international payroll leadership experience, ideally in a complex, multi-country organisation. Please confirm:

◦ Whether you have immediately available candidates who could undertake a six-month assignment.

◦ Relevant experience placing interim Global Heads of Payroll or equivalent senior leaders.

◦ Your proposed approach and timetable for the permanent executive search.

◦ Your fees, candidate guarantees and terms for running both assignments in parallel.

Please share an initial view of candidate availability and the likely search timeline before we arrange a briefing call. Kind regards,

[Your name]

One important question before you appoint a firm

How many countries does the Global Head of Payroll cover, and is the role primarily operational or transformation-led?

That distinction will determine whether I would lean most heavily on a global-payroll specialist such as Middlemore, or prioritise a broader interim and executive-search partner with a stronger leadership-transition focus.