Manager, Payroll in London

Checkout.com is seeking a Payroll Manager to take ownership of our global payroll operations. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, the ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the end-to-end payroll delivery for key regions. You will act as a strategic partner to Finance and People teams with a deep focus on scalability, efficiency, and the employee experience.

This role goes beyond day-to-day processing; you will lead a high-performing global team of five and manage the payroll setup to support approximately 2,400 employees across 24+ countries. You will also spearhead a comprehensive transformation project to consolidate 14+ regional payroll vendors under a single global provider. We're looking for a strategic leader who thrives in a challenging, fast-paced, and high-growth environment.

How you’ll make an impact

• Spearhead a comprehensive transformation project to consolidate 14+ regional payroll vendors under a single global provider, establishing the target operating model needed to support Checkout.com as it continues to scale.
• Drive the integration of HRIS data flows into the global payroll system to achieve end-to-end automation, increasing operational efficiency and improving the control environment to public company equivalents.
• Act as the primary owner for payroll-related data in systems like Workday and Cloudpay.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing global team of five, taking responsibility for talent acquisition, personalised coaching, and designing tailored growth plans to ensure long-term career development.
• Orchestrate highly complex payroll events, including shadow payroll, tax equalisation for secondments, and the processing and reporting of share-based compensation with the support of the equity and tax teams.
• Manage comprehensive payroll and employment tax audits from regulatory authorities, maintaining robust compliance and audit controls across 24+ jurisdictions and ensuring zero-defect compliance.
• Take full ownership of monthly payroll delivery for employees across all regions, reviewing and verifying payroll changes and outputs with providers to ensure 100% accuracy before final approval.
• Support key payroll cycles, including year-end tasks, annual salary reviews, and the processing of bonuses and commissions.
• Ensure that General Ledger postings accurately reflect monthly payroll and maintain robust balance sheet substantiation across all payroll-related accounts.
• Provide timely audit support to the Finance team for payroll-related reporting, reconciliation, and audit queries.
• Proactively research and stay up to date with changes in payroll legislation, international accounting standards, and financial regulations.

What we’re looking for

• Over a decade of experience driving excellence in a high-growth environment, alongside experience managing equity-related tax withholdings across multiple tax jurisdictions.
• A proven track record of managing end-to-end international payroll processes, ideally within the fast-paced tech or fintech industry where a high volume of change is the norm.
• CIPP certification (or equivalent certified payroll professional status).
• Deep technical expertise in Workday, Global Mobility, Shadow Payroll, Tax Equalisation, and Share-Based Compensation. Experience with Cloudpay is a significant advantage.
• An expert problem-solver with a strong track record of consolidating fragmented regional processes into unified global models.
• Someone who enjoys working at pace and has a genuine drive to continuously improve processes and systems.

Additional Information

We create the conditions for high performers to thrive, through real ownership, fewer blockers, and work that makes a difference from day one. Here, you’ll move fast, take on meaningful challenges, and be recognized for the impact you deliver. It’s a place where ambition gets met with opportunity, and where your growth is in your hands.

We work as one team, and we back each other to succeed. So whatever your background or identity, if you’re ready to grow and make a difference, you’ll be right at home here.

It’s important we set you up for success and make our process as accessible as possible. So let us know in your application, or tell your recruiter directly, if you need anything to make your experience or working environment more comfortable.

Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, with three days per week in the office to support collaboration and connection.

For a closer look at daily life at Checkout.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.