Senior Payroll Specialist

SITA; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex work options

Comprehensive learning & development

Job summary

SITA is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to ensure accurate, compliant and timely payroll operations across a portfolio of European countries. You will collaborate with external providers and internal teams to deliver a seamless payroll experience while driving continuous improvement.

Reporting to the EURO Payroll Manager, you will join a team focused on operational excellence, compliance, and transformation of payroll services across Europe.

Qualifications

• Experience managing end-to-end payroll across multiple European countries.
• Strong knowledge of taxation and social security requirements.
• Experience with outsourced payroll providers and service models.
• Advanced Excel skills including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with HR systems (Workday, SAP, Oracle).

Responsibilities

• Payroll coordination across European countries with external providers.
• Review inputs/outputs to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure payroll is processed within internal timelines and country deadlines.
• Vendor management as primary contact; monitor SLAs/KPIs.
• Support compliance with local tax and social security rules.
• Prepare payroll reports for Finance and HR.
• Provide guidance to HR, managers, and employees.
• Identify process improvements and support automation.

Skills

Payroll operations

European payroll

Tax & social security

Outsourced payroll

Excel skills

HR systems (Workday/SAP/Oracle)

Job description

Overview

WELCOME TO SITA

At SITA, we keep airports moving, airlines flying smoothly, and borders open. Our technology and communication innovations power the success of the global air travel industry.

You’ll find us in 95% of international airports, working closely with over 2,500 transportation and government clients. Each partnership brings unique challenges, and we thrive on delivering fresh solutions and cutting‑edge tech to keep operations running like clockwork. We don’t just move the world forward-we’re proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work® by 79% of our employees and certified in most of our growing locations. Here, we feel empowered, supported, and inspired to grow.

Are you ready to love your job?

The adventure begins right here, with you, at SITA.

About The Role

As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you will play a key role in ensuring accurate, compliant and timely payroll operations across a portfolio of European countries. Working closely with external payroll providers and internal stakeholders, you will help deliver a seamless payroll experience for employees while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Reporting to the EURO Payroll Manager, you will join the EURO Payroll Team — a collaborative group focused on operational excellence, compliance and the ongoing transformation of payroll services.

This opportunity is well suited to an experienced payroll professional who enjoys solving problems, improving processes and contributing to a high-performing international team.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Coordination
  • Manage end-to-end payroll cycle with external providers across assigned European countries
  • Review and validate payroll inputs and outputs to ensure accuracy and completeness
  • Ensure payroll is processed in line with internal timelines and country-specific deadlines
• Vendor Management
  • Act as the primary point of contact for external payroll providers
  • Monitor vendor performance against SLAs and KPIs
  • Escalate and resolve payroll issues in a timely manner
• Compliance & Governance
  • Ensure payroll processes comply with local legislation, tax, and social security requirements
  • Stay informed of regulatory changes and assess impact with providers
  • Support internal and external audits
• Data Management & Reporting
  • Maintain accurate employee payroll data within HR systems
  • Perform reconciliations (payroll, GL, statutory reports)
  • Prepare payroll-related reports for Finance and HR stakeholders
• Stakeholder Support
  • Provide payroll guidance to HR, managers, and employees
  • Support employee queries related to pay, deductions, and statutory elements
  • Collaborate closely with HR Operations, Compensation & Benefits, and Finance teams
  • Act as a trusted point of contact for employee payroll queries, providing clear and timely support.
• Process Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and enhance efficiency
  • Support automation and system improvement initiatives (e.g., integrations, OTL, HRIS)
  • Contribute to standardization and documentation of payroll processes across Europe

Qualifications

WHO YOU ARE

• Experience in payroll operations, ideally with exposure to multiple European countries.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, taxation, and social security requirements.
• Proven experience working with outsourced payroll providers and models.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a strong focus on accuracy and compliance.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across teams and with external partners.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence using Excel on a daily basis, including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Ability to work in a structured, organized, and deadline-driven environment.
• Experience with payroll and HR systems (such as Workday, SAP, or Oracle).

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with Oracle
• Additional languages (Italian, Romanian, German etc.)
• Experience of managing multiple countries (multi-country payroll experience)
• Basic understanding of the purchasing process (contracts – benefits, master data – vendor creation)

What We Offer

We're all about diversity. We operate in 200 countries and speak 60 different languages and cultures. We're really proud of our inclusive environment. Our offices are comfortable and fun places to work, and we make sure you get to work from home too. Find out what it's like to join our team and take a step closer to your best life ever.

• Flex Week: Work from home up to 2 days/week (depending on your team's needs)
• Flex Day: Make your workday suit your life and plans.
• Flex-Location: Take up to 30 days a year to work from any location in the world.
• Employee Wellbeing: We have got you covered with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), for you and your dependents 24/7, 365 days/year. We also offer Champion Health - a personalized platform that supports a range of wellbeing needs.
• Professional Development: At SITA, we believe growth fuels innovation. Our learning ecosystem offers access to world-class platforms and programs designed to help you thrive. From LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft's Enterprise Skills Initiative, and Airport Council International -available to all employees-to specialized solutions like Pluralsight for technology upskilling, Harvard Business Publishing for people leadership, Stanford for strategic development and many others, we align learning opportunities with your Development Plan and our business priorities. Your development journey is supported every step of the way.
• Competitive Benefits: Competitive benefits that make sense with both your local market and employment status.

SITA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce. In support of our Employment Equity Program, we encourage women, aboriginal people, members of visible minorities, and/or persons with disabilities to apply and self-identify in the application process.

Salary / Compensation Note

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