Payroll - Process Lead

Job Description : About the Function: Global Business Operations keeps our business moving, connecting markets, streamlining processes and keeping everything running smoothly at scale.

With teams across Bangalore, Budapest, Bogotá, Gurugram, and Manila, GBO delivers the essential services that support our day-to-day performance, from finance to operations and beyond.

It’s a truly global environment, where collaboration across time zones and cultures is part of everyday life.

You’ll gain exposure to different markets, build skills for the future and develop a broad understanding of how a business operates at scale.

It’s a great place to learn, grow and see the bigger picture.

About the team: About the role: The Process Lead is responsible for leading payroll operations across assigned EMEA markets, ensuring payroll services delivered through outsourced payroll providers are accurate, timely, compliant, and provide an exceptional employee experience.

This is a hands-on operational leadership role where the individual will manage one or more payrolls while providing governance and operational oversight across the wider payroll portfolio.

The role partners closely with outsourced payroll vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure payroll delivery meets agreed service levels, complies with statutory requirements, and aligns with Diageo's global payroll standards.

The Process Lead also supports payroll transformation initiatives, drives operational excellence, strengthens payroll controls, and acts as the first point of escalation for complex payroll issues.

Key Responsibilities Payroll Operations Lead end-to-end payroll operations for assigned EMEA payrolls.

Coordinate payroll activities with outsourced payroll providers.

Ensure payroll calendars and critical breakthroughs are delivered on time.

Manage payroll readiness activities throughout the payroll cycle.

Support off-cycle and ad hoc payroll processing where required.

Payroll Governance & Quality Assurance Review payroll inputs and payroll outputs before payroll sign-off.

Perform second-level validation of payroll reconciliations and variance reports.

Review high-risk payroll transactions including incentives, termination payments, retro payments, and statutory payments.

Ensure payroll quality standards are consistently achieved.

Support payroll sign-off and payment approval activities.

Vendor Management Build strong operational relationships with outsourced payroll providers.

Monitor payroll partner performance against agreed KPIs and SLAs.

Conduct operational governance meetings.

Review Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA).

Drive continuous improvements in vendor performance and service quality.

Payroll Controls & Compliance Ensure payroll activities align with statutory requirements and company policies.

Complete and review payroll controls in accordance with internal governance frameworks.

Support internal and external audits.

Maintain payroll documentation and control evidence.

Ensure segregation of duties and compliance with payroll approval processes.

Customer Management Partner with HR Operations, Reward, Finance, Treasury, Employment Tax, Global Mobility, and First Point teams.

Provide payroll expertise and operational guidance to business stakeholders.

Manage complex payroll critical issues.

Ensure effective communication throughout the payroll lifecycle.

Operational Performance Monitor Payroll Accuracy, Payroll Timeliness, Query SLA, and operational KPIs.

Analyse payroll performance trends and identify improvement opportunities.

Drive timely resolution of payroll issues and operational risks.

Support leadership reporting through operational dashboards and performance metrics.

Team Support & Knowledge Sharing Provide functional guidance and coaching to Payroll Specialists.

Support onboarding and knowledge transfer.

Share standard methodologies across the payroll team.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Continuous Improvement & Transformation See opportunities to simplify and standardise payroll processes.

Support payroll transformation initiatives, vendor transitions, and system enhancements.

Participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for payroll-related changes.

Drive automation and process optimisation initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline. 5–8 years of payroll operations experience supporting multiple EMEA countries.

Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.

Strong understanding of payroll governance, controls, and compliance.

Experience with Workday and payroll ticketing/case management systems.

Advanced Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting skills.

Experience supporting payroll audits and regulatory compliance.

Skills & Capabilities Payroll Expertise Multi-country payroll operations Payroll validation and reconciliation Payroll governance Payroll controls and compliance Payroll reporting and analytics Vendor & Customer Management Vendor governance SLA and KPI management Cross-functional customer management Issue management Process Improvement Continuous improvement Process standardisation Automation Payroll transformation Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Behavioural Competencies Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication and customer management High attention to detail Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Customer-focused mentality Strong ownership and accountability Success Measures The successful candidate will be measured on: Payroll Accuracy Payroll Timeliness Query SLA Performance Payroll Partner KPI & SLA Achievement Compliance with Payroll Controls Employee Experience Audit Readiness Customer Satisfaction Continuous Improvement & Automation Outcomes Role Responsibilities: Experience / skills required: Flexible Working Statement: Flexibility is key to our success.

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