Payroll Manager

TrendAI; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

TrendAI, the European payroll leader within Trend Micro's enterprise security unit, seeks a Europe Payroll Manager to lead monthly payroll for ~900 employees across 27 countries. You will partner with HR, Finance, and external providers to ensure compliant, timely payroll and strong governance.

You will drive process improvements, KPI dashboards, and payroll controls while developing a high-performing payroll team across multiple nations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in a European Payroll Manager or equivalent senior payroll leadership role.
• Experience operating within a multinational/shared services environment.
• Proven experience managing payroll across multiple European countries.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting principles and General Ledger reporting.
• Experience working within SOX/JSOX-controlled environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end monthly payroll for ~900 employees across 27 European countries, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
• Coordinate collection, validation, and submission of payroll inputs to external providers per deadlines.
• Review and reconcile payroll reports for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Provide payroll accounting information and reconciliations to General Ledger and Finance teams.
• Maintain payroll controls, procedures, and governance to meet audits and regulatory requirements.
• Lead payroll process improvements, standardization, and automation initiatives for efficiency and scalability.
• Develop KPIs, service metrics, and reporting tools for continuous improvement.
• Manage relationships with external payroll vendors, including SLA monitoring and fee negotiations.
• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, conducting performance reviews.
• Ensure all payroll-related statutory obligations are completed accurately and timely.
• Coordinate quarterly incentive, commission, bonus, and MBO payments with HR and Finance.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and Operations to support business objectives.
• Provide payroll SME input for organisational changes, acquisitions, integrations, and new country implementations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Leadership

People management

Outsourced payroll experience

Job description

TrendAI™, the global AI security leader and enterprise business unit of Trend Micro, empowers organizations with full AI visibility and consolidated security that inspires confidence, drives innovation, and eliminates risk.

At TrendAI™, we’re always seeking exceptional talent; people who want to collaborate with the best and push boundaries together. Here, your work goes beyond building a career. You will help protect what matters and play a vital role in shaping a safer, more trustworthy AI-powered future.

AI Fearlessly.

Europe Payroll Manager

Permanent Position

Role Overview

The Europe Payroll Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of accurate and compliant monthly payroll for approximately 900 employees across 27 European countries. This role oversees payroll operations, vendor management, compliance, process improvement initiatives, and payroll team leadership, while partnering closely with HR, Finance, and external payroll providers to ensure a high-quality employee experience and strong governance framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll process for approximately 900 employees across 27 European countries, ensuring timely and accurate payment.
• Coordinate the collection, validation, and submission of payroll inputs from internal stakeholders to external payroll providers in line with established deadlines.
• Review and reconcile payroll reports, ensuring payroll calculations and payments are accurate and compliant with local regulations.
• Provide timely and accurate payroll accounting information and reconciliations to the General Ledger and Finance teams.
• Own and maintain payroll controls, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure compliance with internal audit, external audit, SOX/JSOX, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead payroll process improvement, standardization, and automation initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across the European payroll function.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), service metrics, and reporting tools to support continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Manage relationships with external payroll vendors, including contract negotiations, service delivery monitoring, SLA management, fee negotiations, and issue resolution.
• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, conducting performance reviews and supporting professional growth and succession planning.
• Ensure all payroll-related statutory obligations, including tax, social security, pension contributions, and other regulatory payments, are completed accurately and within required deadlines.
• Partner with HR and Finance to coordinate quarterly incentive, commission, bonus, and MBO payment processes, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Build strong relationships with cross-functional stakeholders across HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and Operations to support business objectives and strategic initiatives.
• Provide payroll subject matter expertise for organisational changes, acquisitions, integrations, and new country implementations.

Person Specification

• Highly motivated, proactive, and results-oriented.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic, and deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high service standards.
• Strong interpersonal, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across international teams.
• Customer-focused approach with a commitment to service excellence.
• Proven leadership and people management capabilities.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll models is essential.

Experience Required

• Minimum 3-5 years' experience in a European Payroll Manager or equivalent senior payroll leadership role.
• Experience operating within a multinational and/or shared services environment.
• Proven experience managing payroll across multiple European countries.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting principles and General Ledger reporting requirements.
• Experience working within SOX/JSOX-controlled environments is advantageous.

At Trend Micro, we embrace change, empower people, and encourage innovation in a connected world. Our diversity and multicultural workforce are key contributing factors to our success across the globe. We like to have fun while taking our culture seriously. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to this regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, nationality, age, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or veteran status. We do not allow discrimination or harassment of any kind.