Head of Operations | Finland

Zalaris; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Zalaris is seeking a senior operations leader to take full responsibility for Managed Services in Finland. You will own country performance, customer outcomes and the development of a high-performing team, combining deep payroll/HR expertise with our global delivery model.

Lead the country implementation of the NextGen Operating Model, transforming payroll operations into standardised, automated services and shaping the country organisation's delivery today and in the future.

Qualifications

• Senior operational leadership experience in payroll, HR outsourcing, or managed services.
• Experience leading multiple teams or managers.
• Strong financial ownership and understanding of service performance.
• Fluency in Finnish and English.
• Knowledge of local payroll, HR and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own country performance including P&L, budgets, forecasting, and margins.
• Deliver reliable HR and payroll services against contracts, SLAs and KPIs.
• Build local payroll, HR and regulatory expertise for advisory support.
• Implement the NextGen operating model locally and standardise processes.
• Identify opportunities for automation and productivity improvements.
• Develop leaders, coach managers, and foster accountability and collaboration.
• Partner with Sales/KAM on new and expanded services while ensuring delivery readiness.

Skills

Operational leadership

Financial ownership

Stakeholder management

Finnish and English fluency

Transformational change

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SAP payroll

HR technology

Automation

AI / RPA

Job description

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Zalaris is a rapidly expanding global leader in Tech HR and payroll solutions.

We’re big enough for you to grow and be a part of an international environment but small enough for you to be visible and truly make a difference.

We foster open communication and short decision-making paths that encourage creative and innovative thinking.

Zalaris’ culture is rooted in values inspired by Nordic working ethos: everyone matters, aiming high and team spirit. We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone brings their own uniqueness. Zalaris’ employees come from different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life, and we are proud of it.

Finland | On-site | Local scope

About the role

We are looking for a strong operational leader to take full responsibility for our Managed Services operations in Finland. You will own country performance, customer outcomes and the development of a high-performing team, combining deep local payroll and HR expertise with the scalability of our global delivery model.

You will lead the country implementation of Zalaris’ NextGen Operating Model, transforming traditional payroll operations into more standardised, automated and exception-based services. This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape both today’s delivery and the future of the country organisation.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Own country performance. Take accountability for Operations P&L, budgets, forecasting, client profitability, resource planning and sustainable margin improvement.
• Deliver excellent services. Ensure reliable, accurate and cost-effective HR and payroll delivery against contracts, SLAs and KPIs; act decisively on critical issues and recurring root causes.
• Strengthen local expertise and customer trust. Build country-specific payroll, HR and regulatory expertise so Zalaris can proactively advise customers, anticipate compliance risks and solve complex business challenges.
• Lead NextGen locally. Implement the global operating model, standardise processes, reduce manual transactions and enable teams to focus on controls, exceptions and advisory work.
• Drive productivity and automation. Work with global technology, AMS and delivery functions to identify opportunities for AI, RPA, process redesign and rightshoring, and realise measurable benefits.
• Develop people and leaders. Coach Team Managers, strengthen succession and future skills, and build a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Enable profitable growth. Partner with Sales/KAM on new and expanded services; assess delivery feasibility, costs and operational readiness while Sales/KAM retains commercial ownership.
• Secure operational readiness. Ensure new customers and significant changes are tested, documented, staffed and ready for stable BAU delivery.

What You Bring

• Senior operational leadership experience in payroll, HR outsourcing, managed services or a comparable complex service environment; experience leading multiple teams or managers.
• Strong financial ownership, customer leadership and understanding of service performance, SLAs, KPIs and commercial priorities.
• Sound understanding of local payroll, HR and regulatory requirements, with the ability to build expert teams and advise customers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead transformation, organisational change and productivity improvement across distributed teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills; fluency in Finnish and English.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.

Experience That Would Be an Advantage

• Hands-on experience implementing standardised, nearshore/offshore or global delivery models.
• Exposure to SAP payroll, HR technology, automation, AI or RPA.
• Experience with service onboarding, change orders and complex multi-country customers.

What we offer

• A senior country leadership role with genuine accountability for people, customers, financial results and transformation.
• The opportunity to strengthen local specialist expertise while shaping a more efficient and customer-centric delivery model.
• Close collaboration with global Operations, Technology, Customer Experience and Commercial colleagues.
• Professional growth and the opportunity to influence the future of payroll and HR services at Zalaris.

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