Payroll Coordinator

Annapurna HR Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Annapurna HR Ltd in London invites applications for a Global Payroll Coordinator to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery across UK, EMEA, and APAC. The role partners with HR, Finance, Accounts Payable, and external providers to maintain data integrity and smooth payroll cycles.

The successful candidate will manage deadlines, resolve discrepancies, and drive process improvements in a fast-paced international environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in payroll, across multiple countries.
• Strong UK payroll expertise and exposure to EMEA payroll operations.
• Experience with outsourced payroll providers and payroll controls.
• Knowledge of payroll reconciliations, journals, and general ledger processes.
• Proficient in Excel with pivot tables and lookups.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate monthly payroll activities across UK, EMEA, and APAC.
• Validate employee data from HR systems and liaise with providers.
• Ensure timely payroll processing and data integrity.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and support adjustments.
• Respond to payroll queries and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Job description

Global Payroll Coordinator

Location: London - Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)

Reporting to: Global Payroll Manager

The Opportunity

We're seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Global Payroll Coordinator to support the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll across multiple international locations.

Working closely with HR, Finance, Accounts Payable, and external payroll partners, you'll play a key role in coordinating monthly payroll activities across the UK, EMEA, and APAC. You'll help maintain high standards of payroll data integrity, ensure appropriate controls are in place, and support accurate payroll accounting and reconciliation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, international environment and is confident managing deadlines, resolving discrepancies, and collaborating with stakeholders across different functions and regions.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Validation

• Coordinate monthly payroll activities and input submissions across multiple countries.
• Review and validate approved employee data from HR and human capital management systems.
• Liaise with external payroll providers to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Review payroll calculations, statutory deductions, and variance reports.
• Complete pre- and post-payroll reconciliations and support off-cycle payments and adjustments where required.

Data Integrity & Payroll Controls

• Ensure payroll deadlines and cut-off dates are consistently met.
• Verify payroll changes against approved documentation and supporting evidence.
• Perform payroll control checks throughout the processing cycle.
• Maintain payroll trackers, processing schedules, and monthly checklists.
• Identify and elevate discrepancies, potential risks, and compliance concerns promptly.

Compliance & Statutory Requirements

• Support adherence to local tax, social security, pension, and employment regulations across relevant jurisdictions.
• Monitor statutory filing requirements and follow up with payroll providers to ensure submissions are completed on time.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to support internal and external audits.
• Keep up to date with legislative changes affecting payroll.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including employee tax documentation, annual declarations, and local statutory reporting.

Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation

• Review payroll journals and supporting reports prepared by external providers.
• Validate payroll costs, employer contributions, and statutory liabilities.
• Reconcile payroll outputs against the general ledger and investigate discrepancies.
• Support monthly payroll accruals, cost analysis, and variance reporting.
• Work with Finance to provide payroll information for reporting, month-end close, and audit purposes.

Stakeholder & Provider Management

• Serve as a key contact for external payroll providers, supporting effective communication and issue resolution.
• Partner with HR to resolve employee data discrepancies ahead of payroll deadlines.
• Work with Accounts Payable and Finance to ensure payroll funding is arranged on time.
• Respond to employee payroll queries professionally and efficiently.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, strengthen controls, and support wider payroll transformation initiatives.

About You

You'll bring a strong foundation in payroll operations, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment. You'll be comfortable working with international stakeholders and external providers, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Essential Experience & Skills

• At least three years' experience in payroll, ideally within a multi-country environment.
• Strong UK payroll experience, with exposure to EMEA payroll operations essential; APAC experience is advantageous.
• Experience working with outsourced payroll providers.
• A sound understanding of payroll controls, reconciliations, and data validation.
• Basic accounting knowledge, including journals, accruals, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Experience using human capital management (HCM) or HR information systems.
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and reconciliation techniques.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage strict deadlines and maintain accuracy.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across international teams.

Desirable

• A CIPP qualification or equivalent payroll certification.
• Experience supporting payroll transformation, system implementation, or process improvement projects.
• Exposure to payroll data integrations between HR, payroll, and finance systems.
• Experience working within a high-growth, scaling, or internationally operating organisation

Key Competencies

• Data Integrity: Takes ownership of payroll accuracy and completeness.
• Compliance Focus: Understands the importance of statutory requirements and robust controls.
• Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Confident reviewing payroll data, investigating variances, and identifying discrepancies.
• Resilient Under Pressure: Maintains accuracy and composure when working to tight deadlines.
• Proactive Problem-Solver: Identifies issues early and takes a practical, solutions-focused approach.
• Collaborative: Builds effective working relationships across HR, Finance, Accounts Payable, and external partners