About this role
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.
We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
We have been building the world's most valuable brands for 50 years and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.
Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.
For more information, visit WPP.com.
Why Join Our Team: This isn't just about processing payroll; it's about shaping its future at one of the world's most dynamic companies. We're seeking a visionary and collaborative Head of UK Payroll Delivery & Product Lead to drive operational excellence for our UK Operating Companies. You'll lead a talented team, strategically manage our vendor relationships (like SD Worx), and champion continuous innovation. If you're ready to transform payroll through technology and process efficiency, and contribute to the well-being of thousands of colleagues, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact.
What You'll Be Doing:
Lead & Innovate: Lead the end-to-end UK Payroll operations, applying best practices and exceeding service standards. You'll lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing central team, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
Strategic Vendor Partner: Drive the strategic relationship with our third-party payroll provider (e.g., SD Worx) by representing WPP at vendor-hosted business reviews, ensuring top-tier service delivery, optimizing performance via SLA monitoring, serving as escalation point for all OpCos, and identifying automation/AI opportunities.
Product Evolution: Own the continuous development of our payroll product and services, influencing roadmaps and, as the Chairperson, leading discussions on key enhancements in the UK Payroll Steering Committee. Function as the UK Payroll SME on all enterprise initiatives that impact or rely on Payroll technology or operations.
Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong, collaborative partnerships across Finance, HR, Legal, and our UK OpCos, providing expert guidance and ensuring alignment with group standards.
Compliance & Risk: Ensure absolute compliance with all UK payroll laws and regulations, proactively managing risks, audits and year-end processes including Business Continuity readiness.
Requirements
- Experience in leading complex payroll delivery, with deep expertise in UK payroll regulations (PAYE, NI, pensions auto-enrolment).
- Proven experience delivering high-quality payroll for large, multi-entity organizations (10,000+ employees), including vendor-managed or offshore shared services.
- Successful team leadership, fostering growth and high performance.
- Strong proficiency with major enterprise HR/Finance solutions (e.g., SD Worx, Workday) and a track record of leading system implementations or process improvements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage critical third-party vendors and optimise performance against SLAs/KPIs.
- Who you are:
- You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.
- You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.
- You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.
- What we'll give you:
- Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.
- Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.
- Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?