This episode is sponsored by 'Deel: Your Forever People Platform.'

Managing a global team is complex. Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance—all in one place. That’s why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage teams worldwide.

See how Deel works: https://www.deel.com/nickday/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=nickday&utm_campaign=emea-t1a-gb_aware_branding_nickday_podcast_fin-nickday-h125_all_all&utm_content=aware_all_podcast_fin-preroll-h125script_en

Payroll is one of the most critical – yet undervalued – functions in business.

In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Ranzau, Managing Director at Grant Thornton, to unpack why payroll deserves a seat at the strategy table.

We dive into the real reasons payroll breakdowns often begin in recruitment and onboarding, what it takes to manage dozens of vendors globally, and how payroll leaders can build stronger business cases for transformation. Joe also shares his candid thoughts on AI, the Chief Payroll Officer debate, and the one skill every payroll leader must develop to drive change.

If you’re looking to elevate the role of payroll in your organization, this conversation is a must-listen.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-ranzau/

Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e

Nick Day’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/

Find out more at www.jgarecruitment.com

Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!

(00:00) Preview and Intro

(03:00) The Strategic Role of Payroll in Business

(06:10) Managing Global Payroll Complexity

(09:30) Becoming the “Payroll Doctor” for the C-Suite

(11:15) Vendor Chaos and How to Fix It

(17:14) Why Payroll Deserves Investment and Influence

(21:25) The Chief Payroll Officer Debate

(26:43) Using Payroll Data to Drive Real Change

(31:30) What Payroll Transformation Really Looks Like

(33:09) AI in Payroll: Hype vs Reality

(41:38) Choosing the Right Vendors and Consultants

(46:54) What Drives Joe Ranzau’s Passion for Payroll

(49:35) Advice for Payroll Leaders

Exploring the Strategic Value of Payroll in Business Growth | Joe Ranzau

The Payroll Podcast