EMEA Payroll Manager

Cushman & Wakefield; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield seeks an EMEA Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across multiple countries within the EMEA region. You will ensure accurate, timely payroll processing and maintain governance, controls, and compliance with local regulations.

You will guide regional teams, manage vendor relationships, and drive transformation projects, including system implementations and process standardisation. The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and a detail-oriented

Qualifications

• Significant payroll management experience across multiple EMEA countries.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, tax regulations, and compliance requirements within EMEA.
• Experience managing third-party payroll providers and outsourced payroll services.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
• Manage relationships with payroll providers and key internal stakeholders.
• Act as the 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 required updates.
• Deliver a high-quality payroll service that supports employees and business stakeholders.

Skills

Payroll management

EMEA compliance

Stakeholder management

Leadership

SOX controls

Advanced Excel

Payroll systems

Tools

Excel

HR systems

Payroll software

Job description

EMEA Payroll Manager

London

The EMEA Payroll Manager is responsible for leading payroll operations across multiple countries within the EMEA region, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery. The role provides leadership to regional payroll teams, manages vendor relationships, drives process improvements, supports payroll transformation projects, and ensures compliance with local regulations, company policies, and governance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
• Manage relationships with payroll providers and key internal stakeholders.
• Act as the 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 required updates.
• Deliver a high-quality payroll service that supports employees and business stakeholders.

Skills & Experience

• Significant payroll management experience across multiple EMEA countries.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, tax regulations, and compliance requirements 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 skills with the ability to collaborate across HR, Finance, IT, and senior leadership teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Experience working within a complex, multinational organisation.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with payroll and HR systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Equal Opportunity

Cushman & Wakefield is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Cushman & Wakefield is committed to equity in employment, and our goal is to have a diverse, inclusive and barrier-free workplace. If you are a person with a disability and need any other accessible accommodations during the hiring process, you are invited to bring this to the Talent Acquisition Advisor’s attention once they have made contact.

About Cushman & Wakefield

INCO: Cushman & Wakefield.

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for occupiers and investors with approximately 53,000 employees in over 350 offices and nearly 60 countries. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core service lines of services, Leasing, Capital markets, and Valuation and other. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture.

For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com