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Head of Americas Payroll

New York, United States; Whippany, United States

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Date live: 01/27/2025

Business Area: HR

Area of Expertise: Human Resources

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000021939

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Barclays Human Resources

In HR, you'll collaborate with the organisation to implement effective HR strategies and programmes. Your role will involve recruiting, training, and developing talent, as well as managing employee benefits, ensuring Barclays attracts and retains top talent

Payroll which is 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 the end-to-end payroll processes across the Barclays Group, including payroll payments to Barclays colleagues (c.£7bn gross per annum), third party payments, special benefits payments, and share plans. Payroll activity is highly complex and operationally intensive with 27 country payrolls which span over 400 unique processes and multiple vendors.

Colleague Support is a core Business Service and part of the Colleague Experience team which provides critical services, impacting all colleagues globally. The team is responsible for the delivery of 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, with the opportunity to shape the bank’s global payroll strategy.
  • Own the payroll strategy related to the Americas and delivery of payroll in the Americas region in accordance with all applicable regulations.
  • Timely resolution of escalated issues, in regard to complex queries, requests for exceptions to standard processes and service delivery issues, and that any risk events or issues are reported.
  • In partnership with the US payroll lead and team members, the role holder will own service reviews with business leaders internal and external to HR, and will be required to understand, analyse, and identify trends within service performance to recommend new ideas and solutions that improve operational efficiency and the controls environment.
  • Drive a Continuous Improvement mind-set and pro-actively identify and work with HR Technology to progress automation opportunities.
  • Accountable for ensuring the appropriate service governance and documentation is in place and regularly maintained to enable continuous Payroll service delivery, greater efficiencies, and improved colleague experience.
  • Accountable for governance of services provided by 3rd party vendors for payroll to ensure that delivery meets required standards of performance and compliance and also accountable for the end-to-end Control Environment for the Payroll service: ensuring that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework, the Enterprise Process Taxonomy (EPT), and internal Barclays Policies and Policy Standards within agreed budget.
  • Colleague Support and Payroll representative in US regional management Committees/forums/teams including:
    • Americas HR Leadership Team (HRLT) forum
    • Americas HR MD/D Forum
  • Regional management responsibility over the Americas Colleague Support and Payroll team, who provide services for all Americas businesses/functions.
  • Ensure talent development and succession plans for the Colleague Support and Payroll talent in the region.
  • Ensure that reporting capabilities are sufficient, accurate and timely, including those necessary to monitor under the Management Frameworks

Essential Skills/Basic Qualifications:

  • Extensive experience in Payroll with exposure to working with 3rd party payroll vendors. Exposure to HR processes /HJR service delivery.
  • Experience working in globally diverse and inclusive teams
  • Experience interacting with global stakeholders in COEs such as a Rewards, Tax and with external regulatory bodies such as IRS etc.
  • Experience with defining and delivery of a strategic agenda including elements of payroll technology, process efficiency, controls/compliance and vendor governance.
  • Knowledge of HR systems and process design
  • Able to advise and influence senior management and HR colleagues
  • Demonstrable experience with continuous improvement / LEAN
  • Demonstrable experience building and developing high performing teams

This role is located in New York.

Minimum Salary: $200,000

Maximum Salary: $270,000


The minimum and maximum salary/rate information above include only base salary or base hourly rate. It does not include any other type of compensation or benefits that may be available.

Purpose of the role

To manage payroll functions, including calculating employee pay, withholding taxes, and any other deductions, as well as maintaining accurate payroll records for the business. 

Accountabilities

  • Processing of payroll for hourly, salaried, and commissioned employees, calculating tax and other contributions, withholding, and paying out as appropriate.
  • Employee payroll record administration and troubleshooting.
  • Guidance and support to employees on all payroll matters, including queries related to calculations of salaries and wages, overtime, bonuses, and commissions.
  • Compliance related statutory filings including the management of the reply to Government institution notices related to all Statutory obligations.
  • Payroll statutory reporting and filing including liaison with relevant local tax authorities.

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

Barclays offers a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture. A place where people can bring their whole selves to work and be respected for who they are, valued for what they do and celebrated for their contribution to our business and our community.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

Barclays offers a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture. A place where people can bring their whole selves to work and be respected for who they are, valued for what they do and celebrated for their contribution to our business and our community.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This is Barclays New York

New York is home to Barclays’ US headquarters. The Americas hub for our Corporate and Investment Bank: a community of over 4,500 dedicated colleagues who create opportunities and solve challenges for some of the world’s most important companies.

Located in the heart of Manhattan, gives you a convenient location for commuting with access to everything New York can offer.

Our wellness center is equipped with modern amenities, including fitness centres offering a variety of classes and services.

Our health center provides a range of services, including primary and urgent care, wellness exams, health coaching, and vaccinations.

Our office features a variety of sophisticated dining options, including a colleague restaurant and a private executive dining room.

This is Barclays New York

New York is home to Barclays’ US headquarters. The Americas hub for our Corporate and Investment Bank: a community of over 4,500 dedicated colleagues who create opportunities and solve challenges for some of the world’s most important companies.

Excellent location

Located in the heart of Manhattan, gives you a convenient location for commuting with access to everything New York can offer.

Focused on fitness

Our wellness center is equipped with modern amenities, including fitness centres offering a variety of classes and services.

Caring for your health

Our health center provides a range of services, including primary and urgent care, wellness exams, health coaching, and vaccinations.

Great places to eat

Our office features a variety of sophisticated dining options, including a colleague restaurant and a private executive dining room.

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success. Our colleague networks offer connection, support, and growth, while our "This is Me" series shares the unique stories of our colleagues. Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Barclays values you for who you are and ensures you truly belong.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our DE&I page.  

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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