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You need an interim executive-level Global Payroll Director , not an agency supplying temporary payroll administrators or processing staff. For a six-month assignment while you recruit the permanent head, I’d focus on UK interim management recruiters and specialist payroll executive search firms that can source someone who has already led a multinational payroll function.

The brief should cover leadership continuity, global payroll governance, vendor and outsourced-provider management, controls and compliance, transformation oversight, and stakeholder management with HR, Finance and senior leadership.

Who I would contact first

1. Frazer Jones

Strong specialist fit

They explicitly recruit for interim payroll leadership and executive search, with global payroll talent networks. Their UK team includes a Head of Payroll and interim recruitment specialists. Frazer Jones +1

• Contact: John O’Brien, Executive Director, Head of Payroll

• Phone: +44 20 7415 2171

• Website: [Frazer Jones — payroll recruitment](https://www.frazerjones.com/payroll/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. Portfolio Payroll

Specialist payroll recruitment and interim executives

A dedicated payroll recruiter with experience filling senior interim roles, including global payroll and payroll director positions. Its Executive Division specifically handles senior interim and contract assignments. Oakleaf +1

• Contact: Patrick Day, Director, Executive Division

• Email: Patrick.Day@portfoliopayroll.com

• Phone: +44 20 7247 9455

• Website: [Portfolio Payroll](https://www.portfoliopayroll.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

3. Oakleaf Partnership

Dedicated payroll search capability

Oakleaf's payroll practice covers interim and permanent appointments, including Global Payroll Directors, Global Payroll Implementation Managers and Global Heads of Payroll, with UK-wide and international reach. Oakleaf

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

• Ask specifically for its senior interim payroll practice.

4. Altum Consulting

Relevant global payroll leadership experience

Altum has advertised an Interim Global Director of Payroll role for a London-based technology business, covering multi-country operations, executive stakeholder management and payroll transformation. That is closely aligned with your requirement, although it does not confirm current candidate availability. LinkedIn

• Recruiter identified: Jen McMurray

• Website: [Altum Consulting](https://www.altumconsulting.co.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

• Ask whether the consultant or team can access candidates for an immediate six-month appointment.

How I would brief the recruiters

Be explicit that this is an accountable leadership appointment, with authority to run the function while the permanent search takes place.

Email

Subject

Urgent: Interim Global Payroll Director — six-month assignment

Hi, We are looking to appoint an

Interim Global Payroll Director for an initial six-month assignment

while we conduct a search for our permanent head of function. This is a senior leadership appointment, not a temporary payroll processing or operational support role. We need an experienced global payroll leader who can:

◦ Take immediate ownership of the global payroll function and provide leadership continuity.

◦ Lead multi-country payroll operations, governance, controls, risk and compliance.

◦ Manage outsourced payroll providers and internal teams.

◦ Partner effectively with senior HR, Finance and executive stakeholders.

◦ Oversee any operational improvement or transformation priorities during the interim period.

◦ Maintain stability and support a smooth handover to the permanent appointee.

Please prioritise candidates who have previously operated as a Global Payroll Director, Global Head of Payroll or equivalent senior international payroll leader, ideally with experience in complex, multi-country organisations. Please let us know how quickly you could present a shortlist, which immediately available candidates you have access to, and the expected day-rate range. We would welcome an initial conversation as soon as possible. Best regards

What to insist on before appointing

• Leadership evidence: Ask for examples of global payroll functions they have personally led, rather than projects they merely supported.

• International scope: Establish the number of countries, employees, payroll providers and internal reports they managed.

• Executive authority: Confirm they can make decisions on controls, provider performance, escalations and operational priorities.

• Availability: Require a realistic start date and commitment for the full six-month term.

• Handover: Make transition planning and knowledge transfer part of the assignment objectives.

My recommendation: Start with Frazer Jones and Portfolio Payroll in parallel, then add Oakleaf and Altum to widen the shortlist. These firms have directly relevant specialist recruitment capabilities; none should be assumed to have an available candidate until they confirm it.

One question that would help narrow the search: roughly how many countries does your global payroll cover, and is it predominantly outsourced or managed in-house? That will help distinguish a true global function leader from a strong regional payroll director.