Scandinavian Payroll, Compensation and Benefits Manager

FoxRH; København; Hybrid; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

International exposure

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

FoxRH is seeking an experienced payroll and rewards professional to lead end-to-end payroll, HR data governance and compensation & benefits across Scandinavia. Based in Copenhagen or Stockholm, you will report to Head of People & Culture, Scandinavia and manage one direct report, collaborating with Finance, HRIS and external providers.

You will drive process improvements, ensure compliance with local laws and collective agreements, run annual salary reviews and market benchmarking, and support

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of experience in payroll, compensation & benefits, HR operations or a closely related field.
• Proven experience managing multi-country payroll, with strong knowledge of Danish payroll. Nordic region experience desirable.
• Strong understanding of payroll governance, controls and outsourced payroll models.
• Experience working with external payroll providers and managing vendor relationships.
• A proven track record of driving process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and commercial awareness.
• Good understanding of payroll accounting principles and the relationship between Payroll and Finance.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A high level of integrity, ownership and accountability.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across an international organisation.
• Fluent English, both written and spoken, is essential.
• Dutch language skills would be considered an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Own and oversee end-to-end payroll operations across Scandinavia, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.
• Manage the monthly payroll process for 250+ employees in Denmark.
• Ensure salaries, taxes and social contributions are processed accurately and on time.
• Lead payroll governance, controls and external payroll provider relationships.
• Ensure compliance with local legislation, collective agreements and internal policies across the relevant markets.
• Lead payroll audits, identify risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate payroll accounting, reconciliations and reporting.
• Drive the standardisation, optimisation and continuous improvement of payroll processes across Scandinavia.
• Act as a key point of contact for employees and managers regarding payroll-related queries and issues.
• Contribute to payroll training, process documentation and knowledge sharing.
• Own HR data integrity and governance across the Scandinavian markets.
• Establish and maintain high standards for data quality, KPIs and escalation processes.
• Work closely with European and Global HRIS teams to identify and implement system improvements.
• Provide HR data analysis and reporting to support business decision-making.
• Ensure effective integration between HR systems, time & attendance solutions and payroll platforms.
• Identify opportunities to improve data accuracy, reporting and automation.
• Lead the Compensation & Benefits agenda across Scandinavia, ensuring alignment with global frameworks and local requirements.
• Coordinate annual compensation cycles, including salary reviews and market benchmarking.
• Act as the key contact for external benefits providers, including pension and insurance partners.
• Ensure reward structures remain competitive, compliant and cost-effective.
• Provide guidance and insights to business leaders on compensation-related matters.
• Monitor market practices and identify opportunities to enhance the organisation’s reward offering.
• Oversee employee relocation processes across Scandinavia.
• Ensure a smooth, compliant and positive experience for relocation or mobility.
• Manage relationships with external relocation partners.
• Support cross-border mobility cases and respond to employee and manager queries.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with Store Managers and maintain a regular presence in stores to understand operational realities and provide hands-on support.
• Act as a trusted partner to People & Culture, Finance and Operations, translating business requirements into effective, compliant and practical solutions.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external providers to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery.
• Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, data accuracy and continuous improvement.

Skills

Fluent English

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Independent work

Commercial awareness

Business partnering

Integrity & accountability

Job description

Reporting directly to the Head of People & Culture, Scandinavia, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the Payroll, HR Data, Compensation & Benefits agenda across the Scandinavian region.

Based in Copenhagen or Stockholm, you will have end-to-end responsibility for payroll governance, HR data integrity, compensation and benefits, as well as mobility and relocation activities across Scandinavia.

You will work closely with People & Culture, Finance, Operations, HRIS and other internal stakeholders, as well as external partners and payroll providers.

You will also manage one direct report.

This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to strengthen existing processes, drive operational excellence and contribute to the continued development of the organisation’s People & Culture function across Scandinavia.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

• Own and oversee end-to-end payroll operations across Scandinavia, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.

• Manage the monthly payroll process for 250+ employees in Denmark.

• Ensure salaries, taxes and social contributions are processed accurately and on time.

• Manage the monthly payroll close in close partnership with Finance and Accounting.

• Own the payroll governance framework, controls and external payroll provider relationships.

• Ensure compliance with local legislation, collective agreements and internal policies across the relevant markets.

• Lead payroll audits, identify risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.

• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate payroll accounting, reconciliations and reporting.

• Drive the standardisation, optimisation and continuous improvement of payroll processes across Scandinavia.

• Act as a key point of contact for employees and managers regarding payroll-related queries and issues.

• Contribute to payroll training, process documentation and knowledge sharing.

HR Data & Systems

• Own HR data integrity and governance across the Scandinavian markets.

• Establish and maintain high standards for data quality, KPIs and escalation processes.

• Work closely with European and Global HRIS teams to identify and implement system improvements.

• Provide HR data analysis and reporting to support business decision-making.

• Ensure effective integration between HR systems, time & attendance solutions and payroll platforms.

• Identify opportunities to improve data accuracy, reporting and automation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Lead the Compensation & Benefits agenda across Scandinavia, ensuring alignment with global frameworks and local requirements.

• Coordinate annual compensation cycles, including salary reviews, bonus processes and market benchmarking.

• Act as the key contact for external benefits providers, including pension and insurance partners.

• Ensure reward structures remain competitive, compliant and cost-effective.

• Provide guidance and insights to business leaders on compensation-related matters.

• Monitor market practices and identify opportunities to enhance the organisation’s reward offering.

Mobility & Relocation

• Oversee employee relocation processes across Scandinavia.

• Ensure a smooth, compliant and positive experience for employees undergoing relocation or internal mobility.

• Manage relationships with external relocation partners.

• Support cross-border mobility cases and respond to employee and manager queries.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with Store Managers and maintain a regular presence in stores to understand operational realities and provide hands‑on support.

• Act as a trusted partner to People & Culture, Finance and Operations, translating business requirements into effective, compliant and practical solutions.

• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external providers to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery.

• Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, data accuracy and continuous improvement.

We are looking for an experienced payroll and reward professional who combines strong technical expertise with a genuine business partnering mindset.

You will ideally bring:

• 5–7+ years of experience in payroll, compensation & benefits, HR operations or a closely related field.

• Proven experience managing multi‑country payroll, with strong knowledge of Danish payroll. Experience across the wider Nordic region is highly desirable.

• Strong understanding of payroll governance, controls and outsourced payroll models.

• Experience working with external payroll providers and managing vendor relationships.

• A proven track record of driving process improvements and operational efficiencies.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and commercial awareness.

• Good understanding of payroll accounting principles and the relationship between Payroll and Finance.

• Advanced Excel skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• A high level of integrity, ownership and accountability.

• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across an international organisation.

• Fluent English, both written and spoken, is essential.

• Dutch language skills would be considered an advantage.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Global profit‑sharing scheme.

• Hybrid working model: 3 days in the office / 2 days working from home.

• Volunteer Days twice per year.

• An attractive working environment in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

• Employee discount.

• The opportunity to join a fast‑growing international organisation and play a key role in shaping its People & Culture operations across Scandinavia.

Inclusion & Data Protection

Our client is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and respected.

Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.

The organisation is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Recruitment Process