Senior Global Payroll and Benefits Associate in London

The Senior Payroll & Benefits Associate is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and benefits operations across EMEA and APAC, with primary coverage for the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Japan, including payroll administered through an Employer of Record (EOR) platform.

This role serves as a technical subject matter expert in payroll processing, benefits administration, statutory compliance, general ledger (GL) mapping, and system configuration. The position partners closely with HR, HRIS, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to support a global workforce in a dynamic, high-growth environment.

In addition, this role provides backup coverage for the Senior Payroll & Benefits Associate supporting U.S., Canada, and Chile during planned absences, ensuring continuity of payroll and benefits operations. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical and technical skills, a deep understanding of multi-country statutory requirements, advanced reconciliation capabilities, and the ability to manage complex global payroll and benefits processes with precision.

• Global Payroll Operations
  • Manage end-to-end payroll processing for assigned countries (UK, Germany, Australia, Japan), ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with local statutory requirements.
  • Administer payroll through the company’s EOR platform, including validation of inputs, outputs, statutory calculations, and vendor deliverables.
  • Provide backup payroll and benefits support for U.S., Canada, and Chile during coverage periods, including issue resolution and payroll approvals as required.
  • Validate and process payroll inputs including hires, terminations, job changes, promotions, allowances, overtime, bonuses, commissions, statutory benefits, and voluntary deductions.
  • Reconcile payroll outputs including earnings, taxes, employee and employer contributions, accruals, and posting reports.
  • Coordinate with global payroll vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve discrepancies, finalize payroll approvals, and support timely filings and remittances.
  • Support global year-end payroll activities, including statutory certificates and filings (e.g., P60, wage tax statements, annual summaries).
  • Maintain accurate payroll records in accordance with local statutory retention requirements and internal audit standards.
• Benefits Administration (Global)
  • Administer global benefits programs including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement/pension plans, wellness programs, statutory benefits, and leave programs.
  • Process enrollments, life events, terminations, and ongoing benefit changes in Workday/HCM and vendor systems.
  • Audit and reconcile monthly benefits invoices, employer contributions, and employee deductions.
  • Coordinate with brokers, carriers, EOR providers, and regional HR teams to resolve benefit-related issues and ensure seamless administration.
  • Support annual renewals, open enrollment cycles, and global benefits harmonization initiatives.
  • Provide employees with clear, accurate guidance on benefit eligibility, coverage, claims, and country-specific rules.
• System Configuration & Process Optimization
  • Configure and maintain payroll and benefits components within HRIS and payroll systems, including earnings codes, deductions, benefit plans, tax rules, contribution limits, accrual rules, pay groups, and costing allocations.
  • Test system updates, configurations, integrations, and time‑tracking data flows to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Troubleshoot payroll and benefits system issues, partnering with HRIS and external vendors to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
  • Maintain up-to-date SOPs, process documentation, configuration logs, and control documentation to support global standardization and audit readiness.
  • Identify and recommend opportunities for automation, process improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Payroll Accounting & GL Mapping
  • Maintain accurate general ledger (GL) mappings for all payroll and benefits components, ensuring proper distribution of wages, taxes, benefits, and employer statutory costs.
  • Review payroll journal entries and validate the accuracy of costing allocations.
  • Partner with Finance to support month‑end close, resolve variances, and reconcile payroll postings.
  • Ensure consistency and accuracy of payroll accounting across new entities, compensation changes, benefit implementations, and system enhancements.
  • Maintain payroll accounting documentation and internal control materials for audit and compliance purposes.
• Compliance, Controls & Reporting
  • Ensure payroll and benefits operations comply with applicable labor laws, tax regulations, social security requirements, and internal company policies.
  • Monitor statutory and regulatory changes in supported countries and assess impacts to payroll, benefits, and system configuration.
  • Support internal and external audits (e.g., SOX, financial audits, local statutory audits) by preparing reconciliations, reports, and supporting documentation.
  • Generate recurring and ad‑hoc reports related to payroll, benefits, headcount, statutory obligations, and reconciliations.
• Employee Support & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Provide professional, timely support to employees regarding pay, taxes, benefits, and time tracking inquiries.
  • Collaborate with HR Business Partners, Total Rewards, HRIS, Finance, and regional teams to deliver consistent and compliant global payroll and benefits operations.
  • Support Workday/HCM implementations, global entity launches, EOR‑to‑direct employment transitions, and vendor or program rollouts.
  • Prepare and review employee communications related to payroll changes, benefit updates, open enrollment, and country‑specific notices.
• Projects & Leadership
  • Lead or support global payroll and benefits initiatives including system migrations, new country onboarding, vendor transitions, and policy updates.
  • Support operational readiness and statutory alignment for new entity payroll and benefits setups.
  • Act as a technical subject matter expert, providing guidance and mentoring to junior payroll or HR operations team members as needed.

• 7+ years of experience in payroll and benefits administration with multi‑country or global scope.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll taxation, statutory benefits, and labor laws across multiple regions (EMEA, APAC, Americas).
• Demonstrated experience with GL mapping, payroll accounting, and journal reconciliation.
• Hands‑on experience configuring payroll and benefits within Workday, ADP, SAP, Ceridian, or comparable global systems.
• Advanced Excel skills with strong analytical and reconciliation capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage confidential data and meet tight global payroll deadlines.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and customer service skills.

• Payroll or benefits certifications (CPP, PCP, CEBS, SHRM, or international equivalents).
• Experience supporting payroll through EOR providers.
• Experience in a fast‑paced, multinational, or high‑growth environment.
• Prior involvement in system implementations, country expansions, or payroll/HRIS optimization initiatives.
• Experience working directly with global vendors, brokers, and statutory authorities.
• Global mindset and cultural awareness.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ownership and accountability.
• Process improvement orientation.
• Cross‑functional collaboration.
• Confidentiality and ethical judgment.
• Ability to operate effectively in a changing global environment.

Canadian Solar offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement. Our generous benefits package includes a Retirement Plan, health reimbursement of up to 3,000 GBP annually, vacation, and sick days.

Canadian Solar Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.