Manager, Payroll EMEA

The EMEA Payroll Manager oversees payroll processes and vendor relationships for Sony Interactive Entertainment’s EMEA region, excluding the UK and Ireland. The role manages a payroll team, collaborates with internal HR functions, and ensures accurate, compliant payroll delivery.

Responsibilities

• Business As Usual (BAU): Ownership of BAU payroll delivery with two direct reports. Develop relationships across SIE, collaborating with HR, Benefits, Compensation, PTS & Mobility teams. Manage and deliver monthly payrolls and annual payroll calendars. Provide exceptional stakeholder experience, driving high customer satisfaction. Act as liaison between external outsource providers and functional staff to resolve issues within service level agreements. Maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders. Oversee training and communications on new processes and functionalities. Solicit customer feedback to identify service improvement opportunities. Collaborate to optimize services by aligning systems with customer needs. Monitor and advise customers on critical service delivery issues. Implement findings and recommendations to enhance the payroll function. Analyze stakeholder concerns and develop corrective action plans.
• Payroll Services Governance: Day‑to‑day liaison with outsourced payroll service providers. Resolve vendor service inquiries accurately and timely. Review additional services payments for contractual compliance and cost reduction. Contribute to payroll governance infrastructure, including policies, controls, and risk tools. Directly accountable for meeting payroll service level agreements. Maintain an up‑to‑date Standard Operating Procedures manual. Oversee processing of international assignee shadow payrolls and audit pay accuracy.
• Project Management Initiatives: Monitor contract agreements and key metrics. Provide project support for HR and payroll initiatives. Engage in stakeholder meetings to set end‑to‑end pay process expectations. Produce performance scorecards and coordinate improvement initiatives. Communicate project schedules, work orders, budgets, and milestones to stakeholders. Report project progress to management. Identify data trends in payroll and time technology and propose recommendations. Drive system automations to reduce manual processes. Manage payroll platform integration administration and troubleshooting. Identify opportunities for process improvement, contract updates, and new initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years’ experience managing outsourced payroll providers.
• Track record of leading payroll in a large, complex, international organisation.
• Experience with multi‑tier support structures and external outsource models.
• Deep understanding of EMEA payroll, statutory payments, pension, manual calculations, and tax law.
• Capability to manage change requests and define new service provider requirements.
• Passion for delivering exceptional quality service and exceeding client expectations.
• Proactive issue anticipation and collaborative relationships with upstream and downstream functions.
• Strong understanding of general HR processes and data for correct downstream pay results.
• Analytical skills to produce and articulate recommendations to leadership.
• General understanding of HR and payroll system databases, functions, and cross‑functional touchpoints.
• Outstanding leadership, project management skills, and business commercial awareness.

Desirable

• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) or equivalent qualification.

Benefits

• Discretionary bonus opportunity.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• Private medical insurance.
• Dental scheme.
• 25 days holiday per year.
• On‑site gym.
• Subsidised café and free soft drinks.
• On‑site bar.
• Access to cycle garage and showers.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership, or any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.