Senior Payroll Lead (France & Intl) - Remote

Michael Page (Switzerland); 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

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.