EMEA Payroll Leader — Transformation & Compliance

cw; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield in London seeks an experienced EMEA Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple countries. You will ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance while coordinating with HR, Finance, IT and external vendors.

The role requires strong knowledge of payroll legislation, SOX controls, and a track record of transforming payroll processes. You will manage a regional team and drive continuous improvements in a fast-paced, multinational environment.

Qualifications

• Significant payroll management experience across multiple EMEA countries.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, tax regulations, and compliance within EMEA.
• Experience managing third-party payroll providers and outsourced payroll services.
• Proven leadership experience, including team management, coaching, and development.
• Experience leading payroll transformation, process improvement, or system implementation projects.
• Strong understanding of payroll controls, governance, audit, and SOX requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder management with HR, Finance, IT, and senior leadership teams.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with payroll and HR systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
• Manage relationships with payroll providers and internal stakeholders.
• Act as escalation point for complex payroll matters and issue resolution.
• Support, coach, and coordinate regional payroll team members.
• Drive payroll process standardisation, optimisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, controls, and documentation.
• Lead payroll-related projects, including system implementations, harmonisation, and transformation initiatives.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors on cross-functional projects.
• Drive change management and adoption of new payroll processes and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with local labour laws, tax regulations, and company policies.
• Manage payroll governance, risk controls, and SOX audit requirements.
• Monitor legislative changes across the EMEA region and implement updates.
• Deliver a high-quality payroll service that supports employees and business stakeholders.

Skills

Payroll management

EMEA payroll

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Payroll transformation

SOX compliance

Excel

HR systems

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

Cushman & Wakefield in London seeks an experienced EMEA Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple countries. You will ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance while coordinating with HR, Finance, IT and external vendors.

The role requires strong knowledge of payroll legislation, SOX controls, and a track record of transforming payroll processes. You will manage a regional team and drive continuous improvements in a fast-paced, multinational environment.