EMEA Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager London Full Time 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