EMEA Payroll Manager in London

As a Payroll Manager, you are essential to ensuring the smooth and accurate processing of payroll for employees across the region (EMEA). You will work collaboratively with teams in Finance and HR/Personnel to provide payroll expertise, resolve employee queries, and maintain compliance with tax regulations. Your ability to handle complex processes while building positive relationships will contribute to a thriving workplace for all.

What You’re Responsible For

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll process for all employees within the region, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local regulations.
• Partner with HR/Personnel and Finance teams to onboard new hires, process employee changes, and maintain accurate payroll data.
• Coordinate with outsourced payroll providers to set up new starters, implement changes, and verify payroll accuracy.
• Prepare, review, and submit draft payrolls for final tax calculations, ensuring timely approvals.
• Analyse monthly payroll changes and provide actionable insights and reporting to key stakeholders.
• Act as the first point of contact for payroll queries, delivering responsive, empathetic, and solution-oriented support.
• Ensure timely processing of employee terminations, including final payments and local compliance documentation.
• Build strong relationships with external payroll vendors, resolving issues efficiently and professionally.
• Drive continuous improvement by leading payroll process enhancements, including provider consolidation and best practice adoption.
• Support HR/Personnel with monthly census reporting and maintain up-to-date records for personnel and contractors via agency.

How We’ll Measure It

• Timely Payroll Completion: Meeting monthly payroll deadlines and ensuring accuracy across all entities.
• Proactive Problem Solving: Efficient resolution of employee queries and payroll-related challenges.
• Compliance Excellence: Adherence to all pay, tax, and regulatory requirements across the region.
• Employee Experience: Demonstrating empathy and professionalism in supporting employee payroll needs.
• Process Improvements: Successfully implementing enhancements to payroll workflows, systems, and provider relationships.
• Collaboration: Building strong, positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Your Experience & Skills

• Prior experience in managing multi-country payroll across the EMEA region is essential.
• Familiarity with local tax regulations across the region is a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in Excel, including tables, vlookups, and basic formulas, is required.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal teams and outsourced providers.
• Demonstrates high levels of accuracy and attention to detail, ensuring payroll is processed correctly and in compliance with internal controls and external requirements.
• Demonstrates a curious and analytical mindset, with a willingness to question data and challenge assumptions to ensure accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Takes ownership of employee queries, following up and closing out issues promptly while keeping stakeholders informed throughout the process.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of local payroll legislation, tax regulations, and employee benefits, ensuring ongoing compliance and identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Self-motivated and capable of managing the payroll process independently as part of a one-person payroll team.
• A willingness to adapt working hours to meet payroll activity peaks and deadlines.