Head of Americas Payroll

Payroll, part of the Colleague Experience team, provides a critical service for Barclays, impacting all colleagues globally (c.90,000 colleagues). The team is responsible for the delivery of end-to-end payroll processes across the Barclays Group, including payroll payments (c.£7bn gross per annum), third-party payments, special benefits payments, and share plans. Payroll activity is complex and operationally intensive with 27 country payrolls, over 400 unique processes, and multiple vendors.

Colleague Support, also a core Business Service within the Colleague Experience team, impacts all colleagues globally. It delivers end-to-end transactions supporting talent acquisition, employee relations, talent development, rewards and performance, workforce planning, and advisory services.

Key Accountabilities

• This is a senior global leadership role within the HR Colleague Support and Payroll Transaction cycle, shaping the bank’s global payroll strategy.
• Own the payroll strategy and delivery in the Americas, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Resolve escalated issues regarding complex queries, exceptions to standard processes, and service delivery issues.
• Collaborate with the US payroll lead and team, conducting service reviews with business leaders and identifying trends to recommend improvements.
• Drive Continuous Improvement, identifying and progressing automation opportunities with HR Technology.
• Ensure appropriate service governance and documentation is maintained for continuous payroll service delivery and improved colleague experience.
• Govern third-party vendor services for payroll, ensuring compliance and performance standards are met.
• Represent Colleague Support and Payroll in US regional management committees, including the Americas HR Leadership Team (HRLT) forum and Americas HR MD/D Forum.

• Manage the Americas Colleague Support and Payroll team, ensuring talent development and succession plans are in place.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting capabilities under the Management Frameworks.

Essential Skills/Basic Qualifications

• Extensive payroll experience with third-party vendors and HR service delivery.
• Experience in globally diverse and inclusive teams.
• Interaction with global stakeholders in COEs like Rewards and Tax and with regulatory bodies like the IRS.
• Experience in strategic agenda delivery involving payroll technology, process efficiency, and vendor governance.
• Knowledge of HR systems and process design.
• Able to advise and influence senior management and HR colleagues.
• Experience with continuous improvement/LEAN methodologies.
• Experience in building and developing high-performing teams.

This role is located in New York.

Purpose of the Role

Manage payroll functions, including calculating employee pay, withholding taxes, and maintaining payroll records.

Accountabilities

• Process payroll for various employee types, calculating and managing taxes and contributions.
• Administer and troubleshoot employee payroll records.
• Provide guidance to employees on payroll matters.
• Manage compliance-related statutory filings and respond to government notices.
• Handle payroll statutory reporting and filing with local tax authorities.

Director Expectations

• Manage a business function, contributing to strategic initiatives and managing complex projects.
• Lead a large team or sub-function, embedding a performance culture aligned with business values.
• Provide expert advice to senior management and influence decisions outside the function.
• Coordinate resourcing, budgeting, and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
• Foster compliance and ensure regulations are observed.
• Maintain knowledge of industry practices and external market developments.
• Use analytical skills to solve complex problems and design solutions.
• Negotiate with and influence senior stakeholders.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate leadership behaviors that create an environment for colleagues to thrive. They are expected to embody the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship and demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge, and Drive.