Payroll Consultant (EMEA)

Talent Smart; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A consulting firm is seeking an EMEA Payroll Consultant to support payroll operations in Reading/Hybrid. The ideal candidate will process payroll across multiple EMEA countries, ensuring compliance and accuracy while delivering high-quality customer support. A Bachelor's degree and experience with payroll systems are essential, along with strong English communication skills. This full-time role offers a dynamic work environment with collaborative teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience processing payroll in one or more EMEA countries.
• Understanding of payroll compliance and year-end procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end payroll processing and internal customer support.
• Verify payroll output and collaborate with the Payroll Associate Director.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements.

Skills

Fluency in English (spoken and written)

Strong interpersonal and customer service skills

Effective time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

HRMS

Payroll systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

EMEA Payroll Consultant – Location: Reading/Hybrid | Full-Time | Payroll & HR Operations

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Payroll Consultant to join our client and to support payroll operations across multiple countries within EMEA. This role is ideal for someone who understands local payroll requirements, ERP and HR systems, and who thrives in a collaborative, service-focused environment.

About the Role:

As an EMEA Payroll Consultant, you'll be responsible for supporting end-to-end payroll processing and internal customer support across various functions including New Hires, Terminations, Special Pay, Deductions, and Banking. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a solid understanding of payroll operations, compliance requirements, and internal control principles. You'll also play a key role in handling general payroll inquiries and delivering high-quality support through various customer service channels. A strong focus on service level adherence, clear communication, and process accuracy is essential.

Responsibilities

• Gather, derive, and process inputs to payroll vendors to support gross-to-net calculations.
• Ensure payroll data is processed accurately and on schedule.
• Verify payroll output and collaborate with the Payroll Associate Director.
• Prepare and deliver payroll reports within required timeframes.
• Ensure timely net payments and complete payroll reconciliations.
• Generate effective reports using simple queries and reporting tools.
• Verify and prepare payroll updates from multiple input sources (vendor, self-service, manual).
• Coordinate with payroll providers and local HR to ensure compliance and accurate government filings, including year-end and BIK reporting.
• Identify and investigate processing variances or exceptions.
• Support testing of system or policy changes affecting payroll transactions.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external audit requirements.
• Understand the end-to-end payroll processes and their integration with other business functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience with HRMS, Payroll, and Timekeeping systems.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Proven experience processing payroll in one or more EMEA countries.

Nice to have

• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Payroll certifications (e.g., CPP, FPC).
• Experience with Workday HR and Payroll systems.
• Solid understanding of payroll compliance and year-end procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
• Experience in Finance or HR Operations.
• Familiarity with payroll and HR data elements.
• Effective time management, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Additional language skills (Dutch, French, Italian, German) are a plus.