EMEA Payroll Implementation Coordinator

activpayroll; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

activpayroll is seeking an EMEA Payroll Implementation Coordinator in the United Kingdom. You will be the central contact for a portfolio of EMEA payroll implementations, coordinating the full onboarding lifecycle from discovery to go-live and handover to BAU service delivery.

You will balance hands-on payroll work with project coordination, supported by experienced colleagues and partner networks, to ensure accurate, on-time payroll configurations across markets.

Qualifications

• Solid practical experience in payroll, domestic or international.
• Understanding of end-to-end payroll processes and controls.
• Familiarity with EMEA payrolls, legislation and timelines is a plus.
• Strong numerical accuracy when handling financial/employee data.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main point of contact for a varied portfolio of new EMEA payroll customers during implementation.
• Coordinate end-to-end onboarding lifecycle from discovery to go-live and handover.
• Gather and validate payroll data from customers and explain requirements clearly.
• Link between customer, internal teams and in-country payroll partners; manage expectations.
• Track milestones, timelines and deliverables; ensure timely payroll implementations.
• Work with in-country partners to configure, test and implement payrolls for each market.
• Plan, host and chair regular project calls to review status and actions.
• Produce payroll manuals and process docs to support transition to BAU.
• Resolve customer queries; escalate complex issues via internal channels.
• Monitor implementation quality and customer satisfaction; contribute process improvements.

Skills

Payroll

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Excel

EMEA knowledge

Data validation

Tools

Payroll systems

MS Excel

Job description

Description The EMEA Payroll Implementation Coordinator is a core role within our payroll bureau, sitting at the heart of how we onboard and support a wide range of customers across different industries and geographies. It’s ideal for an experienced payroll professional who wants to apply their expertise in a structured project environment and build a long-term career towards project management.

Department: Operations

Location: United Kingdom

Description

The EMEA Payroll Implementation Coordinator is a core role within our payroll bureau, sitting at the heart of how we onboard and support a wide range of customers across different industries and geographies. It’s ideal for an experienced payroll professional who wants to apply their expertise in a structured project environment and build a long-term career towards project management.

You’ll act as the central point of contact for a portfolio of EMEA implementations, coordinating the full onboarding lifecycle – from discovery and data gathering through to configuration, testing, parallel runs, go-live and handover into BAU service delivery. Working across multiple customers, countries and integrations, you’ll make sure each new payroll is designed and implemented accurately, on time and in line with agreed project plans.

This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role where you’ll balance detailed payroll work with broader project coordination. You’ll be well supported by experienced colleagues and partners, with plenty of opportunity to deepen your EMEA payroll knowledge, build your project skills and play a visible role in the success of our customers’ onboarding experience.

We have offices in Aberdeen and Edinburgh and offer hybrid working from these locations, but we’re also open to fully remote working anywhere in the UK for the right candidate.

On a typical day

• Act as the main point of contact for a varied portfolio of new EMEA payroll customers, delivering consistently excellent customer service throughout implementation.
• Coordinate the end-to-end onboarding lifecycle for each customer, from discovery and data gathering through to configuration, testing, parallel runs, go-live and handover into BAU service delivery.
• Gather, validate and collate payroll data and documentation from customers, clearly explaining what is required and supporting them to provide accurate, complete information.
• Serve as the key link between the customer, internal teams and in-country payroll partners, managing expectations and keeping all stakeholders informed on project progress, risks and next steps.
• Track and maintain all project milestones, timelines and deliverables, ensuring that payrolls are implemented on time and that payment submissions are made in line with agreed schedules.
• Work closely with our network of in-country payroll partners to ensure new payrolls are configured correctly, tested thoroughly and implemented accurately for each market.
• Plan, host and chair regular project calls with customers to review status, resolve issues, capture actions and identify opportunities to improve the implementation experience.
• Produce clear, robust payroll manuals and process documentation to support a smooth transition into ongoing service delivery and to enable internal teams to deliver a consistent service.
• Respond to and resolve queries from customers, partners and colleagues, troubleshooting issues where possible and escalating more complex matters through the appropriate internal channels.
• Proactively monitor implementation quality and customer satisfaction, flagging risks early and contributing ideas to improve our implementation processes and tools.

Does this sound like you?

• Solid practical experience in payroll (domestic or international), with a good understanding of end-to-end payroll processes and controls.
• Comfortable working with EMEA payrolls, legislation and timelines, or motivated to build this knowledge quickly.
• Strong numerical skills and a high level of accuracy when working with financial and employee data.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to spot discrepancies or data issues and follow them through to resolution.
• Confident using databases, payroll systems and software packages, with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (e.g. using formulas, lookups and data validation).
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, able to manage multiple implementations, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Clear, honest and professional communication style, able to explain complex payroll concepts in simple terms and handle both positive and challenging conversations.
• Proactive approach to customer management, keeping customers fully updated and ensuring they always understand the status of their implementation.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with customers, internal teams and in-country payroll partners.
• A team-focused mindset, keen to share knowledge, support colleagues and contribute to a consistent, high-quality service across the department.
• Self-motivated, resilient and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.