Payroll Manager Switzerland 80-100% (m/w/d)

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

Job summary

Michael Page (Switzerland) is seeking an experienced Payroll Leader to deliver accurate, compliant payroll services across multiple Swiss entities. You will oversee the full monthly cycle, coordinate with HR and Finance, and manage relationships with payroll providers to ensure timely payments.

You will bring deep expertise in Swiss payroll regulation, social security and taxation, plus hands-on experience with Abacus. Strong analytical skills and confidentiality are essential in this role.

Qualifications

• Multinational Swiss payroll experience required.
• Strong knowledge of Swiss payroll, social security, and taxation.
• Ability to manage complex payroll operations and compliance.
• Experience with Abacus payroll is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead accurate, compliant payroll delivery across Swiss entities.
• Manage full monthly payroll cycle: processing, validations, payments, reporting.
• Oversee relationships with payroll providers and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Swiss regulations (payroll, tax, social security, employment).
• Maintain payroll governance, controls, and audit readiness.
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities, certificates and declarations.
• Partner with HR and Finance on payroll accounting and cost analysis.
• Produce payroll analytics, dashboards and management reporting.
• Lead system enhancements, testing, automation, and improvements.
• Act as main contact for payroll inquiries.

Skills

German (native)

English communication

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Process improvement

Education

Finance/HR/BA or Payroll qualification

Tools

Abacus payroll

Job description

About Our Client

• Own end-to-end Swiss payroll for a multinational business
• Strong technical payroll expertise with excellent people skills

Job Description

• Lead the accurate, compliant and timely delivery of payroll services across multiple Swiss entities.
• Manage the full monthly payroll cycle, including payroll processing, validations, payments and statutory reporting.
• Oversee relationships with payroll providers, software partners and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Swiss payroll, tax, social security and employment regulations.
• Maintain and strengthen payroll governance, controls, audit readiness and process documentation.
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities, salary certificates and statutory declarations.
• Partner closely with HR and Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations, budgeting and workforce cost analysis.
• Produce payroll analytics, dashboards and management reporting to support business decisions.
• Lead payroll system enhancements, testing, automation initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Act as the primary contact for payroll-related employee, management and audit enquiries.

The Successful Applicant

• Relevant education in Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration or Payroll, or an equivalent combination of professional qualifications and experience.
• Many years of payroll experience within a multinational or complex Swiss payroll environment.
• Strong expertise in Swiss payroll, social security and payroll-related taxation.
• Proven experience managing complex payroll operations, reporting and compliance activities.
• Experience working with payroll providers and third-party vendors.
• Strong knowledge of Abacus payroll; additional payroll systems experience is advantageous.
• Advanced Excel skills and excellent analytical capabilities.
• Native-level German and strong English communication skills.
• High attention to detail, strong integrity and a commitment to confidentiality.
• Proactive, hands-on and capable of driving process improvements in a complex environment.

What's on Offer

• Strategic and visible payroll leadership role
• Exposure to a large multinational environment
• Broad stakeholder interaction across HR and Finance
• Opportunity to drive process optimisation and automation
• High level of autonomy and ownership
• Collaborative and professional working culture
• Attractive and diverse payroll scope within Switzerland