Payroll Team Lead / Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Payroll Team Lead / Payroll Specialist Working Arrangement • Full-time • 40 hours per week • Role requires close collaboration with HR, Finance and external payroll providers. Role Overview Our client seeks an experienced Payroll Team Lead / Payroll Specialist to support an international organisation with responsibility for the end-to-end management and governance of payroll, compensation and benefits administration. The role requires a strong payroll and HR operations professional who can ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, maintain robust controls, manage external payroll providers, support compensation and benefits administration, and drive continuous improvement across payroll-related processes. The successful candidate will operate in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and will work closely with HR, Finance and external service providers. Key Responsibilities • Lead and oversee the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing. • Develop and manage payroll schedules across internal teams and external service providers. • Review and validate monthly payroll results and prepare payroll sign-off reports in accordance with audit requirements. • Design, implement and maintain strong payroll controls and governance processes. • Manage and oversee external payroll providers, including reviewing and auditing their outputs and performance. • Coordinate payroll-related reporting, regulatory filings, financial reconciliations and benefits reconciliations. • Prepare payroll datasets and reports to support financial reconciliation, budgeting and business planning. • Provide subject-matter expertise on payroll and Compensation & Benefits administration for HR process improvements, policy changes and new C&B initiatives. • Oversee Compensation & Benefits administration, including payroll and leave-management processes. • Act as the first point of escalation for payroll, compensation and benefits matters. • Investigate payroll issues, identify root causes and develop appropriate solutions. • Ensure employee compensation records, allowances, one-time payments and related employee information are accurate and processed within required timelines. • Oversee employee termination and leave-management processes from a payroll/C&B perspective. • Identify opportunities to streamline payroll and C&B processes and improve operational efficiency. • Lead, coach and develop payroll/Compensation & Benefits administrators while promoting a strong service and continuous-improvement culture. Requirements Candidate Requirements Category Requirement Experience Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in payroll, Compensation & Benefits administration, preferably within an international or multinational environment People Management Ideally 2–5 years of team/people management experience Education Master’s degree in human resources or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience Professional Qualification HR or payroll-management professional qualification desirable HR Systems Strong Workday experience; Workday certification would be an advantage Payroll Expertise Strong end-to-end payroll management and Compensation & Benefits administration Controls & Compliance Payroll controls, audit requirements, reconciliations, employment policies and record management Data & Reporting Strong data management, analytical, controlling and reporting capability; advanced Excel skills Process Improvement Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and improving HR/payroll processes and policies Stakeholder Management Ability to work effectively across HR, Finance, external payroll providers and other stakeholders Leadership Strong team management, coaching, problem-solving and decision-making capability Language Excellent English required; working knowledge of French would be advantageous Professional Attributes High level of confidentiality, integrity, professional judgement, organisation and client-service orientation The experience and qualification requirements above are directly reflected in the client specification. Key Competencies • Payroll Management • Compensation & Benefits Administration • Workday • Payroll Controls & Governance • Payroll Reconciliation • HR Operations • Vendor / Payroll Provider Management • Audit & Compliance • Data Management & Reporting • Process Improvement • Policy Implementation • Stakeholder Management • People Management • Problem Solving • Service Delivery