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- Tasks: Lead payroll transitions and ensure smooth operations across multiple countries.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on payroll transformation in EMEA.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on collaboration and problem-solving.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming payroll processes and supporting teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll transitions, especially with ADP Celergo and German payroll.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Payroll Transition Specialist to provide hands-on, delivery-focused support for multiple complex payroll transformation initiatives across EMEA. This role will lead the end-to-end payroll transition activities for:
- Payroll vendor changes in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands
- Transition of Germany ADP streamline Payroll to ADP Celergo Payroll
This is a delivery role, not a governance or PMO position. The successful candidate will work directly with payroll teams, vendors, and stakeholders to support with payroll test scripts, test, document SOPs, train existing teams and stabilise payroll operations through transition and go-live.
Key Responsibilities
- Payroll Transition & Implementation
- Lead hands-on payroll transition activities from incumbent vendors/platforms to new providers/systems
- Actively support payroll teams through data readiness, User Test Scripts, UAT, validation, and parallel runs to go live
- Own and execute end-to-end payroll testing, including:
- Payroll test strategy and approach
- Detailed payroll test scripts (unit, integration, parallel)
- Test execution and defect resolution
- Drive successful parallel payroll runs, ensuring accuracy, reconciliation, and sign-off prior to go-live
- Operational Readiness & Documentation
- Develop clear, practical payroll procedures, SOPs, and work instructions
- Translate complex legislative and system outputs into usable operational documentation
- Ensure knowledge transfer from vendors into internal payroll teams
- Support the establishment of robust post-go-live support models
- Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement
- Act as the day-to-day payroll SME working with:
- Internal payroll teams
- HRIS
- HR Operations
- Finance
- External payroll vendors and local partners (e.g. Social Secretaries)
- Challenge vendors constructively and ensure deliverables meet agreed requirements
- Act as a bridge between technical payroll detail and business understanding
- Act as the day-to-day payroll SME working with:
- Training & Team Enablement
- Train payroll teams on:
- New payroll vendors/platforms
- Updated processes and controls
- Country-specific legislative requirements
- Build payroll capability, not dependency
- Train payroll teams on:
- Risk, Controls & Compliance
- Ensure payroll controls are embedded during transition, including:
- L1 / L2 approval frameworks
- Reconciliation and variance analysis
- Audit-ready documentation
- Proactively identify payroll and statutory risks and drive resolution
- Ensure payroll controls are embedded during transition, including:
Key Deliverables
- Payroll test plans and detailed test scripts
- Successfully completed parallel payroll runs
- Fully documented payroll SOPs and procedures
- Trained and confident payroll teams
- Stable payroll operations post go-live
Required Experience & Skills
- Essential
- Proven, hands-on experience delivering payroll transitions or payroll implementations
- ADP Celergo Payroll experience
- Strong operational payroll expertise in Germany (mandatory)
- Experience with Belgium and/or Netherlands payrolls (highly desirable)
- Deep understanding of:
- Gross-to-net processing
- Statutory reporting
- Payroll controls and audit requirements
- Practical experience with:
- Payroll testing
- Parallel runs
- Data validation and reconciliation
- Vendor change or platform migration
- Ability to work independently and drive delivery without heavy oversight
- Comfortable operating in complex, fast-moving environments
- Highly Desirable
- Experience with outsourced payroll models and Social Secretaries
- Prior exposure to EMEA payroll governance frameworks
- Fluent English; German/Dutch language skills a strong advantage
Personal Attributes
- Hands-on, pragmatic, and delivery-oriented
- Comfortable “in the detail” of payroll
- Confident challenging vendors and assumptions
- Calm under pressure, solution-focused
- Strong communicator with payroll, HR, and Finance stakeholders
Locations
Payroll Specialist in Basildon, Essex employer: ML
Contact Detail:
ML Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Specialist in Basildon, Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll industry, especially those who have experience with ADP Celergo or similar systems. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Get hands-on! If you can, volunteer for projects or freelance gigs that involve payroll transitions. This not only boosts your CV but also gives you real-world experience that employers love to see.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of payroll processes and legislation in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past roles—this will show you're the hands-on specialist they need!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Plus, we love seeing passionate applicants who are eager to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Specialist in Basildon, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Payroll Specialist role. Highlight your hands-on experience with payroll transitions and any specific knowledge of ADP Celergo Payroll. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Experience: In your application, be sure to showcase your operational payroll expertise, especially in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to handle complex payroll transformations and your understanding of gross-to-net processing.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, keep it clear and concise. Focus on your relevant experience and how you can contribute to our payroll transition initiatives. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at ML
✨Know Your Payroll Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your payroll knowledge, especially around ADP Celergo and the specific payroll processes in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with payroll transitions and how you've tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about payroll testing, parallel runs, and data validation. Have examples ready that showcase your problem-solving skills and how you've ensured accuracy during transitions. This is your chance to shine a light on your operational expertise!
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, be prepared to demonstrate your communication style. Share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with payroll teams, vendors, and HR to drive successful outcomes. Highlight your ability to translate complex information into understandable terms.
✨Demonstrate Your Training Ability
Training teams on new processes is key in this role. Think of instances where you've successfully trained others or developed documentation. Be ready to discuss how you build capability within teams rather than dependency, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.