EMEA North Payroll Specialist

About Us

Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response.

Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary

The Payroll Specialist will report to the EMEA North and South Payroll Team leader and will have direct responsibility for managing payrolls for multiple entities across the EMEA region, namely UK, Nordics, Ireland. The role includes all elements of the end-to-end process for payroll and direct interface with the outsourced Payroll providers. In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate payroll expertise and develop strong working relationships with HR, the business and other back office departments together with providing a first-class payroll service.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for the end-to-end payroll processing of a number of EMEA payrolls, including preparation, processing, post-Payroll and tax filing, in coordination with the outsourced payroll solution provider.
• Maintain payroll processing system and records by gathering, calculating, and inputting data.
• Review data feeds from HR system, ensuring fixed data changes are made in the payroll system and data remains consistent across the two systems.
• Work closely with the payroll vendor and other third parties to ensure a smooth monthly process.
• Provide payroll and benefits reports to HR and Finance to strict deadlines.
• Maintain the internal Payroll Procedures manual, updating any changes in process and documenting new processes.
• Respond to complex payroll questions from cross-functional departments and employees, escalating as needed.
• Recommend ongoing process improvements to enhance the quality/reduce the cost of Payroll services.
• Ensure compliance and control requirements are met and ensure the production of all external compliance reporting and deliverables are completed timely and accurately.
• Preparation of required reports and/or payment to government agencies, insurance companies or other organisations.
• Ensure all ERS/EES Pension contributions are calculated, paid and reported to the relevant investment funds timely and accurately.
• Support the internal audit and external audit requests as necessary.
• Support HR and HRBPs to help resolve Payroll related issues, employee benefits in kind, irregular payments, employee or vendor inquiries.
• Ensure all employee related matters are appropriately dealt with and/or escalated via HR where relevant, particularly (but not restricted to) sickness and absence recording matters required for payroll compliance.
• Remain current on all local regulations involving country Payrolls in your remit.
• Support Accountants with the Cash forecast on monthly basis and all analysis for monthly variances to Actual/Forecast to EMEA Payroll controller.

What You Will Bring

Experience

• Essential: Strong payroll and benefits knowledge across international payrolls, with UK payroll mandatory.
• Working with outsourced payroll providers and managing elements of the payroll process in accordance with local payroll compliance.
• Extensive technical UK payroll experience.
• Experience in working with payroll systems and HR business partners.
• Working within a highly sales-driven and fast-moving culture.

Desirable:

• Working within a software company, ideally a global organisation.
• Worked as part of a global Finance organisation supporting global actions and initiatives.
• Experience of working cross-functionally with HR on enhancements and improvements.
• Working with SAP HRIS, ADP Streamline.

Skills & Abilities

Essential:

• Excellent interpersonal, listening and oral communication skills.
• The ability to work to deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong customer focus.
• Numeracy.
• Handling multiple priorities effectively.
• Working collaboratively within a team environment and maintaining effective relationships.
• Highly organised and efficient.

Desirable:

• Negotiates well in difficult situations with a deep sensitivity to cultural and regional differences.

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply.

What's Great About Sophos?

• Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.
• Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit.
• Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy.
• Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities.
• Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint.
• Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp.
• Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge.
• Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing.

Our Commitment To You

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation. We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos. If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights.

For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy.