Payroll Manager

SGS; Zug; On-site; CHF 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS is seeking a senior payroll specialist to lead end-to-end Swiss payroll for all Swiss entities, ensuring compliance, governance and timely delivery. You will manage monthly payroll processing, tax and social security coordination, and payroll analytics to inform management.

Responsibilities include overseeing service providers, audits, and year-end activities, with strong emphasis on Abacus and advanced Excel capabilities in a multinational Swiss environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, HR, business or economics required.
• Minimum 10 years of payroll experience at a senior level.
• Expert knowledge of Swiss payroll, social security and cantonal tax rules.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly payroll operations for Swiss entities across cantons.
• Ensure statutory compliance, governance and controls in payroll.
• Coordinate with pension funds, insurers and tax authorities.
• Oversee reporting, audits and payroll analytics.
• Manage payroll service providers and payroll system partners.

Skills

Payroll expertise

Swiss payroll laws

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Audit & controls

End-to-end payroll processing

Provider management

German & English proficiency

Education

Degree in Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, Economics or equivalent

Tools

Abacus

Fidigit

Job description

Job Description

Lead the accurate, compliant and timely delivery of payroll services for all SGS Swiss entities. The role owns end-to-end Swiss payroll operations, statutory compliance, payroll governance and controls, service provider relationships, payroll systems, continuous improvement, and payroll analytics and management reporting.

The role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:

Monthly Payroll Operations

• Process monthly payroll for entities in different cantons and for various categories of employees, including hourly paid employees, freelancers and board members.
• Enter payroll variables, execute payroll runs, validate results and archive payroll data to maintain a complete audit trail.
• Prepare bank transfer orders and DTA payments and confirm receipt and successful execution.
• Ensure the timely distribution of electronic payslips and related payroll documents.
• Coordinate monthly with pension funds, insurance providers, AVS authorities and tax administrations.
• Perform regular payroll checks, including family allowances and health insurance premiums.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

• Participate actively in payroll processing related to the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
• Perform share calculations, liaise with employees regarding sell-to-cover arrangements, update payroll data and prepare tax documentation.

Annual Salary Review

• Perform data reconciliations and validation checks.
• Update data in the payroll system and generate compensation statements.

Finance Coordination and Invoicing

• Coordinate monthly post-payroll activities with Finance and provide required data, including headcount, accounting files and employee costs.
• Reconcile HR-related accounts and provide HR costings, including salary advances and direct reimbursements.
• Contribute to the annual forecast and budget process.
• Handle invoices related to withholding tax and pension fund contributions.
• Plan and raise purchase order requirements for payroll software access, support and technical development.

Vendor and Service Provider Management

• Manage the operational relationship with Fidigit, Abacus and other payroll-related providers, ensuring reliable service delivery and clear accountability.
• Coordinate system upgrades, configuration changes, testing activities and implementation of new functionality. Monitor service performance, follow up on incidents and ensure timely resolution of issues affecting payroll operations.
• Maintain clear documentation of service requests, decisions, changes and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with providers to identify service improvements, strengthen controls and optimize payroll processes.

Payroll Governance and Controls

• Ensure payroll processes comply with Swiss legal requirements, internal policies, delegated authorities and applicable control standards.
• Maintain robust payroll controls and validation procedures to support the accuracy, completeness and integrity of payroll data and payments.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, approvals, documentation, audit trails and record retention across the payroll cycle.
• Identify and assess payroll risks, elevate material issues and implement corrective and preventive actions. Coordinate internal and external payroll audits, provide required evidence and follow through on remediation actions.
• Maintain and regularly update payroll procedures, control documentation and working instructions.

Year-End Payroll Activities

• Complete year-end formalities accurately and within statutory deadlines, including AVS and insurance declarations, salary certificate coordination with tax administrations and the production of share-related forms.
• Perform annual checks, including transportation indemnities and pension fund contributions for freelancers.
• Update payroll software with new insurance rates and pension fund plan changes.

Payroll Analytics and Management Reporting

• Prepare and analyse payroll reports, workforce cost data and payroll metrics to support management decision-making.
• Provide regular payroll dashboards and statistical reporting to HR, Finance and relevant business stakeholders.
• Monitor payroll trends, variances, exceptions and key indicators, investigate anomalies and elevate material issues promptly.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and workforce cost planning with accurate payroll data and analysis.
• Prepare ad hoc payroll analyses, cost simulations and decision-support reporting for HR leadership and Finance.
• Provide data for external and internal surveys, including WTW, Mercer, OFS and Solaris, ensuring accuracy and appropriate approvals.

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, Economics or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of payroll experience at a senior specialist or manager level within a multinational environment.
• Expert knowledge of Swiss payroll, social security and payroll-related tax legislation, with strong awareness of cantonal requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with end-to-end payroll processing, statutory reporting, year-end activities, audits and payroll controls.
• Practical experience managing payroll service providers and payroll system partners.
• Strong knowledge of Abacus is essential; experience working with Fidigit is an advantage.
• Advanced Excel and strong reporting and analytical capability.
• Native-level German and very good written and spoken English