Interim Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

For our client we are looking for an interim Payroll Manager

Position Summary
The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and executing payroll operations for multiple countries in the EMEA region. This role combines hands-on payroll processing with leadership responsibility for two payroll analysts (Senior & Junior). The Payroll Manager ensures accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery, maintains a strong internal control environment, and drives continuous process improvements across the payroll function.

This position reports to the Director Accounting & Control and collaborates closely with the HR department, Finance, Treasury, Internal Audit, and other key stakeholders.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of two payroll analysts (Senior & Junior).

• Oversee daily operations, ensuring proper workload distribution, quality standards, and timely execution.

• Provide training, guidance, and support to strengthen payroll expertise within the team.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability.

Payroll Operations (Hands-On and Oversight)

• Perform and supervise payroll processing for multiple EMEA countries, including UK, NL, Germany, Italy, Spain, UAE, India, and Belgium. France is to be added in near future.

• Review payroll inputs and outputs for accuracy and compliance with company policies and local legislation.

• Monitor salary changes, job changes, and other employee data updates based on HR-provided information.

• Ensure timely execution of all payroll-related payments.

Financial Accounting & Compliance

• Oversee the cooperation between the Payroll team and Accounting team to provide accurate and timely input to account for all payroll related transactions (salary, PTO, bonus, etc.).

• Support the Accounting team in providing input for monthly balance sheet reconciliations in Blackline, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

• Maintain bonus master files for bonus calculations and provide input to the Accounting team for proper monthly accruals.

• Serve as the primary contact for internal and external payroll audits.

• Partner with the Treasury team and banks on payroll funding, payment files, and banking compliance.

• Maintain strong internal controls for payroll processes, including SOX compliance and internal audit requests.

• Manage tax and social security audits, working with external tax advisors and liaising with local authorities when required.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the go-to expert for payroll-related questions across the organization.

• Collaborate closely with HR, Finance, and other departments to ensure smooth end-to-end payroll processes.

• Communicate payroll policies and procedures effectively to internal stakeholders.

Process Optimization

• Lead and support payroll process improvements, automation initiatives, and system implementations.

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance accuracy, and improve service delivery.

• Ensure that payroll procedures remain up to date with legal requirements and company standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field and relevant Payroll education.

• 7+ years of relevant experience, including international payroll operations.

• Prior experience supervising or mentoring payroll staff.

• Strong understanding of payroll regulations across multiple EMEA countries.

• Experience with payroll software and HRIS systems, preferably SDWorx and Workday.

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and payroll applications.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• “Hands-on” mentality with the ability to balance operational work and leadership duties.

• Demonstrated initiative and ownership of assigned areas.

• Fluency in English (both written and spoken).