ASAP: Senior Payroll Specialist France (m/w/d)

cariswiss; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 95,000 - 110,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work possible

Job summary

Michael Page (Switzerland) in Zurich is helping a fast-growing international organisation recruit a payroll professional to take ownership of end-to-end payroll, primarily for France, with support for Italy, Spain and Portugal.

The role involves coordinating with external payroll providers, ensuring compliance with multiple country legislations, and driving data-flow optimisations between Workday and partners in a dynamic international environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of payroll experience with strong expertise in France.
• Excellent knowledge of French payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience working with external payroll providers.
• Experience in international, fast-paced or retail environments is advantageous.
• Fluent English and French; additional language such as Italian, Spanish or Portuguese is a plus.
• Strong Workday knowledge and payroll system integrations; high attention to confidentiality.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll operations with primary responsibility for France, while supporting Italy, Spain and Portugal.
• Coordinate and review payroll activities delivered by external payroll providers, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Ensure compliance with French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese payroll, tax and labour legislation.
• Manage payroll inputs including salaries, bonuses, benefits, overtime and statutory deductions.
• Prepare payroll reports, support reconciliations and partner with Finance on payroll-related controls.
• Prepare and coordinate legally required payroll and employment documentation.
• Serve as a key point of contact for employees, authorities, insurers and benefit providers.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Finance and external vendors to ensure seamless payroll operations.
• Own and optimise payroll data flows and integrations between Workday and external payroll providers.
• Support audits, SOX-compliant controls and continuous payroll process improvements.
• Handle complex employment scenarios, including international mobility and cross-border arrangements.
• Contribute to payroll automation, standardisation initiatives and future country expansions.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

English proficiency

French proficiency

Tools

Workday

Payroll integrations

Excel

Job description

• 6-month contract | Start date: 10-15 November | Fully remote set up possible
• Workday and multi-country payroll environment

About Our Client

Our client is a fast-growing international organisation based in Zurich known for its modern and people-focused culture. Due to continued growth, they are seeking an experienced payroll professional who can quickly take ownership of payroll operations and support ongoing process improvement initiatives.

Job Description

• Manage end-to-end payroll operations with primary responsibility for France, while supporting Italy, Spain and Portugal.
• Coordinate and review payroll activities delivered by external payroll providers, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
• Ensure compliance with French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese payroll, tax and labour legislation.
• Manage payroll inputs including salaries, bonuses, benefits, overtime and statutory deductions.
• Prepare payroll reports, support reconciliations and partner with Finance on payroll-related controls.
• Prepare and coordinate legally required payroll and employment documentation.
• Serve as a key point of contact for employees, authorities, insurers and benefit providers.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Finance and external vendors to ensure seamless payroll operations.
• Own and optimise payroll data flows and integrations between Workday and external payroll providers.
• Support audits, SOX-compliant controls and continuous payroll process improvements.
• Handle complex employment scenarios, including international mobility and cross-border arrangements.
• Contribute to payroll automation, standardisation initiatives and future country expansions

The Successful Applicant

• 4+ years of payroll experience with strong expertise in France.
• Excellent knowledge of French payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience working with external payroll providers.
• Experience in international, fast-paced or retail environments is advantageous.
• Fluent English and French. Any additionnal language such as Italian, Spanish or Portugese is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of Workday and payroll system integrations.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capabilities.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage confidential information.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

What's on Offer

• High-visibility payroll ownership role
• International and collaborative environment
• Exposure to Workday optimisation projects
• Opportunity to drive automation and process improvements
• Broad stakeholder interaction across HR and Finance
• Growing organisation with ongoing transformation initiatives