EMEA Centralised Payroll Service Controller

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.

As part of the EMEA Finance function, the EMEA Centralised Payroll Service Controller will report to the EMEA Regional Controller and will take responsibility for managing a centralised payroll function for EMEA region. The role will be responsible for developing and driving the payroll strategy, process standardisation, delivering on service level agreements and maintaining compliance and control for EMEA territory payroll operations and benefits reporting. This includes management and control of all elements of the end-to-end process for payroll and managing the outsourcing relationship with Payroll providers. In addition, you will be expected to develop strong working relationships with key internal stakeholders – namely EMEA HR Director, Regional Financial Controllers, the business and other back-office departments.

Drive the development and execution of country payrolls across the EMEA region accurately and timely

Effectively lead, manage, deploy and utilise the EMEA Payroll team resources to deliver on all EMEA Payroll activities

Drive cost reduction across payroll team and platforms in the region, adopting standardised services where possible to ensure operational effectiveness

Recommend ongoing process improvements to enhance the quality/reduce the cost of Payroll services

Own the outsourcing relationship with Payroll Providers, including contracts, financials and performance management

Responsible for the end-to-end Payroll process, including preparation, processing, post-Payroll and associated tax filing, in coordination with the outsourced payroll solution provider

Ensure compliance and control requirements are met and coordinate and manage the production of all external compliance reporting and deliverables

Ownership of the 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 EMEA HR Director and local 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 EMEA and local regulations involving Payroll matters and understand payroll related accounting principles, partnering closely with the Financial Controllers for each company

Write and review payroll procedures on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance, standardisation and control

Prepare the timetable, requirements and task lists for the monthly activities for executing each payroll, manage and monitor the activities to ensure a smooth and timely close following best practice processes for payroll

Provide analysis for monthly/quarterly/annual variances to Plan/Forecast on headcount costs with significant variances investigated and justified where applicable to Regional Controller

Prepare and deliver each payroll and accounting month end closing procedures to strict close deadlines with ownership and first review of monthly payroll balance sheet account reconciliations. Prepare all information for review with Regional Controller monthly.

Serve as a lead payroll representative on payroll related projects with regards to both strategic direction and requirements, ensuring all proposed changes are fully understood and executed

Proven experience as Payroll Manager for EMEA territory

Working with external auditors and managing elements of the audit process in accordance with local payroll and SOX compliance

Extensive technical and compliance knowledge with international payroll

Extensive technical and compliance knowledge with payroll accounting

Change management and improving process and controls

Experience as a functional business owner working with payroll systems

Working within a highly sales driven and fast-moving culture

Working with SAP, HRIS, ADP Streamline; local payroll providers

Proven staff management skills and effective team leadership across a remote location