Head of Payroll

The UK’s fastest broadband network. The nation’s best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK's biggest companies too. We put our customers first, making life simpler, smoother, and more joyful. With big ambitions and a brilliant team, we’re building a more connected future for everyone.

Our ways of working

We’re a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days each month connecting in person.

That doesn’t just mean time in the office, it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days - anywhere meaningful collaboration happens. What matters is making those moments purposeful, so when we come together, it really counts.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we're working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.

In order to be considered, you must have the following experience;

• Extensive experience in Payroll and People transformation across a shared services model, supporting a fast-paced business, with focus on service, systems and process integration in a large-scale high volume complex payroll operation post recent HRIS deployment.
• Specialist knowledge and understanding of UK Payroll legislation with previous experience of managing a large-scale employee centric payroll operation with a track record of leading a complex payroll transformation whilst assuring quality controls preferably in partnership with a shared services provider
• Strong understanding of the payroll governance lifecycle and its implications for employees, managers, stakeholders e.g. Finance, Legal, Tax, Reward, and Payroll and HR operations. Full membership of payroll related profession e.g. CIPP or proven professional competency gained via experience
• Resilience and adaptability, with the ability to lead and collaborate through ambiguity, evolving operational & systems landscape, whilst assuring service provider delivery of an employee first compliant service
• Critical thinking and sharp problem solver, with strong focus on employee experience implications, regulatory requirements and insights to evaluate risk and inform decisions
• Excellent change leadership skills, able to distil complexity, manage ambiguity and lead service provider and stakeholders through constant stage

We'd also love you to bring;

• Highly influential through stakeholder partnerships, able to advise on people products & plans from a payroll strategy & operations perspective and make an impact on product owner and go to market approaches, priorities & decisions that always assure an employee first payroll service experience
• AI transformation experience, from design to successful deployment and ongoing improvement maintenance, where AI has measurably improved payroll service performance and the employee experience
• Empathy and emotional intelligence, with the ability to navigate complex change in proficient collaboration with others to achieve alignment, trust and positive partnerships

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.

If we feel like a place where you can belong, we'd love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a two stage interview.

When you apply, you'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you’re offered a job with us, it will be conditional, based on the passing of background checks. All roles require a criminal record check and some roles need a financial probity check. Your recruiter can provide you with more information if needed.

Thanks for your patience and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.