Job Description

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Global Payroll Manager to join our team, in London. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant, and efficient delivery of payroll across the Tony Blair Institute’s global workforce. The role has direct operational accountability for centrally managed payrolls covering approximately 50% of employees. The role requires a hands-on approach to payroll execution, reconciliations, compliance, and stakeholder collaboration.

In addition, the role sets the global payroll strategy, payroll policies, and operating framework for the organisation. Working closely with regional teams, HR, Finance, and external providers, the role will establish what “good” looks like in payroll across all jurisdictions. This includes defining the appropriate delivery models (in-house, bureau, PEO, or Employer of Record), governance structures, local regulations, controls, and service expectations.

Please note, it is essential you have an existing right to work in the United Kingdom to apply for this role.

Key Responsibilities:

The role combines hands on operational leadership with global oversight. It will hold direct operational accountability for centrally managed payrolls while also managing the global payrolls across all regions.

1. Operational Leadership – Centrally Managed Payroll (c.50% of Global Workforce)

• Hold full accountability for the accurate and timely delivery of payroll for centrally managed jurisdictions (c.20 payrolls).
• Oversee and execute end-to-end payroll operations, including salary calculations, deductions, statutory contributions, reconciliations, and payroll approvals for each pay cycle.
• Ensure robust reconciliations, controls, and data integrity across payroll inputs, outputs, and reporting.
• Manage all internal and external payroll-related statutory reporting, filings, and compliance requirements, particularly in the UK (including HMRC RTI submissions, P60s, P11Ds, and tax year-end processes).
• Manage and develop the internal payroll team, providing hands-on leadership, support, and training.
• Maintain strong operational collaboration with Finance, People, and Legal teams to ensure payroll accuracy and alignment with organisational policies.
• Submit payroll accounting journals and collaborate with Finance on reconciliations, reporting, and payroll cost analysis.
• Manage payroll-related audits, compliance reviews, and internal controls.
• Oversee ad hoc payroll payments and approvals via banking platforms, ensuring appropriate authorisation and governance.
• Own and manage relationships with all external stakeholders such as Pension providers, and Payroll Tax authorities

2. Global Oversight

• Lead the global payroll strategy and operating framework, ensuring efficient payroll delivery across all regions (40+ countries).
• Set expectations and governance for regional payroll management, where regions remain accountable for their locally managed payroll arrangements (c.20 payrolls).
• Work with the regional teams to maintain clear roles and responsibilities between TBI, external payroll providers, bureaus, and Employers of Record.
• Ensure payroll processes and systems — including Workday and related integrations — support efficient, accurate, and well-controlled payroll operations.
• Establish and maintain global payroll controls, standards, and procedures to ensure consistency, compliance, and data integrity across all jurisdictions.
• Lead the selection, onboarding, and management of global payroll providers, including negotiating T&Cs, standard terms, pricing structures, and service-level agreements.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures relating to payroll tax and international mobility, working closely with HR, Finance, and Legal.
• Establish and chair a cross-organisation payroll forum to share best practices, discuss emerging issues, and align on payroll policies and procedures.
• Monitor global payroll regulatory changes and compliance requirements, ensuring the organisation remains compliant across all jurisdictions.
• Lead payroll planning and implementation for new country expansions, including identifying providers and establishing compliant payroll processes.
• Work with HR and regional leadership to determine the appropriate payroll operating model by jurisdiction, including in-house payroll, payroll bureau, PEO, or Employer of Record (EOR).

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake tasks that may be expected within the scope of the post.

Person Specification:

The successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Professional payroll qualification such as CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) or equivalent.
• Significant experience managing complex multi-country payroll operations, ideally across 40+ jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing international payrolls through regional HR, third-party providers, including payroll bureaus, PEOs, and Employers of Record.
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll legislation, compliance requirements, and payroll best practices across multiple jurisdictions.
• Extensive UK payroll experience, including strong knowledge of PAYE legislation, HMRC RTI submissions, and UK year-end requirements (P60s, P11Ds).
• Proven experience leading and developing payroll teams, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
• Experience working with global HRIS or payroll systems, ideally Workday.
• Intermediate to expert user of Excel with strong attention to detail and a high level of data manipulation and reporting capability
• Experience implementing and administering employee benefits and pension schemes, including private medical insurance, life assurance, vision care, cycle to work schemes, and enhanced sickness and parental benefits.
• Comprehensive knowledge of payroll and benefit best practices and external regulatory requirements
• Technical and analytical skills for application with payroll and benefits reporting
• Understanding of financial processing, controls and compliance
• Strong vendor and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage relationships with external providers and advisors.

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work. It is our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We are happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you are successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.

Closing Date:

2026-04-19