Payroll Analyst

The Walt Disney Company (France); London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in entertainment seeks a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist for its EMEA operations. This role involves managing payroll processes, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have experience in payroll procedures, excellent analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel and SAP.

Qualifications

• Experience with vendor-supported payroll processes.
• Proven experience reviewing and developing payroll procedures.
• Ability to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Ensure payroll data is accurate and submitted on time.
• Collaborate with payroll vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Process tax-related inputs and ensure compliance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Computer literacy

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Customer service focus

Tools

Excel

SAP

Job description

About the Role & Team

Activities in support of assigned EMEA countries. Ensure employees receive accurate remuneration on established pay dates, thereby ensuring the company meets its obligations. Ensure the company meets all statutory, payroll-related obligations, including the processing of legislative deductions/payments. Support special project efforts as required.

What You Will Do

• Ensure all fixed and variable payroll-related data (from multiple upstream data sources) is incorporated into payroll vendor processes and systems via interface and/or standard input template (e.g., new hires, leavers, time, bonuses, etc.).
• Ensure payroll inputs (including employee data elements) are provided to the payroll vendor accurately, consistently, and ahead of established cutoff dates in the required format.
• Collaborate with representatives from third-party payroll providers and Disney internal stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate inputs to the payroll process, escalating issues when necessary.
• Gather payroll information (data, process flows, policies, etc.) from in-scope legal entities to facilitate payroll knowledge transfer to the EMEA Payroll Hub.
• Ensure all required historical data is maintained in accordance with local laws.
• Process all tax-related input and ensure statutory and tax forms are processed accurately and timely.
• Review and approve the completeness and accuracy of vendor payroll calculation outputs.
• Manage and align local calendars and deadlines with stakeholders and payroll vendor.
• Approve periodic reports to management, local authorities, and other recipients; provide ad hoc reporting support as necessary.
• Review, upload, and approve banking files for salary and third-party statutory payments.
• Review, approve, and upload monthly payroll general ledger journal entries to SAP.
• Resolve all payroll-related queries from employees and stakeholders professionally and promptly, escalating as necessary.
• Address legal entity concerns about payroll processes provided by the payroll provider.
• Perform and validate manual calculations for partial pay periods or retroactive payments where applicable.
• Calculate manual/out-of-cycle payments as required, ensuring proper accounting in the next pay period.
• Analyze and validate variance reports in conjunction with other pay period controls.
• Participate actively in team events and demonstrate positive behavior.
• Keep payroll procedures up to date and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Support payroll audit activities and general projects as needed.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Experience with vendor-supported payroll processes.
• Proven experience reviewing and developing payroll procedures and policies.
• Good working knowledge of employee taxes and benefit programs.
• Experience working in a multinational company is a plus.
• Team player with initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal skills—respectful, approachable, and effective at building relationships.
• Resilient and determined.
• High attention to detail with strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Organized and accurate, especially under time constraints.
• Advanced computer literacy, especially Excel (Pivots, VLookups).
• Flexible with responsibilities and deadlines.
• Customer service focused.
• Diplomatic, discreet, and capable of handling confidential information.
• Ability to work remotely and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.