This is not an entry-level payroll position. Candidates must have processed payroll in Colombia and be comfortable conducting business conversations in English with U.S.-based stakeholders
About This Role
The Payroll Administrator is responsible for end-to-end payroll processing for employees in Colombia and other Latin American countries, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll execution. This individual will partner closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, Legal, and business stakeholders to support payroll operations, resolve payroll-related issues, and improve processes across the organization.
This role requires both deep expertise in Colombian payroll administration and the ability to communicate effectively with English-speaking stakeholders across a global organization.
To be successful in this role, candidates must have direct experience processing payroll in Colombia and possess professional business-level English communication skills.
Required:
- Direct, hands-on experience processing payroll in Colombia
- Strong understanding of Colombian labor law and payroll regulations
- Professional business-level English proficiency (B2 minimum)
- Ability to participate in meetings and communicate with U.S.-based stakeholders in English
- Experience supporting payroll functions in a fast-paced, professional environment
What You'll Do
Payroll Administration
- Review, balance, and process accurate and timely payrolls for Colombia and assigned LATAM countries.
- Process salaries, bonuses, commissions, allowances, statutory deductions, and one-time payments while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
- Calculate and validate payroll components including social security contributions, parafiscal charges, income tax withholdings, and other country-specific deductions.
- Support employee payroll changes including new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, leaves of absence, and employee data updates.
- Coordinate payroll activities with country HR teams and other stakeholders.
Compliance & Regulatory Support
- Ensure compliance with Colombian labor laws, payroll regulations, tax requirements, and statutory obligations.
- Maintain payroll documentation, records, and audit-ready support materials.
- Prepare payroll documentation and reports for internal audits, external audits, and government inspections.
- Monitor legislative changes and recommend process updates when required.
Reporting & Analysis
- Generate payroll reports and perform reconciliations and payroll validations.
- Conduct regular payroll audits, including quarterly and year-to-date reviews.
- Identify payroll discrepancies and proactively implement corrective actions.
- Analyze payroll data and recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, and Legal teams to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance.
- Respond to employee payroll inquiries and resolve issues with a strong customer service mindset.
- Coordinate payroll funding, bank files, and payment releases with Finance and Accounting teams.
- Assist in building scalable payroll processes to support organizational growth.
This Job Is For You If
- You have a passion for helping others and delivering exceptional customer service.
- You are highly detail-oriented and committed to accuracy.
- You thrive in deadline-driven environments.
- You take initiative and enjoy solving complex problems.
- You can confidently communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- You excel at cross-functional collaboration and building strong working relationships.
- You can explain complex payroll concepts clearly to both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking audiences.
Required Qualifications
- 3-5+ years of direct payroll administration experience.
- Required: Hands-on experience processing payroll in Colombia.
- Strong knowledge of:
- Colombian Labor Law
- Statutory Benefits
- Social Security Contributions
- Parafiscal Contributions
- Income Tax Withholdings
- Payroll Compliance Requirements
- Professional business-level English proficiency (B2 minimum required; C1 preferred).
- Ability to participate in meetings, communicate with stakeholders, and write professional emails in English.
- Experience supporting employees and business partners across multiple departments.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
- Experience working with payroll systems and HR technology platforms.
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential employee information.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting payroll in multiple LATAM countries.
- Experience working within multinational or global organizations.
- Experience with payroll audits, process documentation, and payroll system optimization.
- Exposure to HRIS, payroll technology, or workforce management platforms.