Manager, Payroll Accounting

Foot Locker; Utrecht; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid position

Employee discount

Pension plan

Travel reimbursement

Wellbeing programs

Career development

Job summary

Foot Locker is seeking an experienced Manager, Payroll Accounting to lead payroll accounting across about 15 EMEA countries. You will oversee month-end close, ensure accurate payroll reporting, and partner with FP&A, Payroll Operations, and HR to drive financial controls and business insights.

The role manages two payroll accountants, supports audits, and seeks continuous process improvements. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a hands-on approach and

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master in Accounting, Business Administration or Finance with a focus on finance.
• 3–5 years of relevant work experience in an international company.
• Strong accounting knowledge; FP&A exposure preferred.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills required.
• Hands-on, practical and proactive mentality.

Responsibilities

• Directly execute and oversee month, quarter, and year-end close activities for payroll accounting.
• Review and approve journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Provide advanced expertise on high-risk transactions to the Senior Manager.
• Collaborate with FP&A, Payroll Operations, and HR to ensure accurate records and timely reporting.
• Lead process improvements to payroll workflows, controls, and efficiencies.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure compliance with policies.

Skills

English fluency

Excel skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Team leadership

Problem solving

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor or Master in Accounting/Business/Finance

Tools

FP&A software

Job description

Overview

The Manager, Payroll Accounting is a key member within the EMEA Finance team, reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Payroll Accounting, and holding ultimate accountability for the financial accounting of the company’s largest and most valuable asset—its associates.

Partnering closely with business partners across Payroll, HR, and Finance, you will oversee and direct payroll accounting operations across approximately 15 EMEA countries to ensure the absolute accuracy, completeness, and integrity of payroll‑related financial reporting while providing strategic insights that drive the operating retail business forward.

The Manager Payroll Accounting oversees and optimizes the month-end close process through advanced payroll accounting, reconciliations, and analysis, while strategically advising business partners on controls, compliance, and forecasting to drive financial accuracy.

Managing and working closely with two payroll accountants, the Manager Payroll Accounting combines a continuous‑improvement mindset with sharp attention to detail to identify opportunities to enhance accounting processes, controls, and efficiencies, while leveraging strong business partnering skills to deliver these changes to completion.

The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment, demonstrates a strong sense of ownership and accountability, and combines a hands‑on approach with the ability to balance technical payroll accounting excellence and value‑adding insights that support business performance and employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Directly execute and oversee month, quarterly, and year-end close activities, preparing journal entries to ensure all payroll activity is accurately recorded.
• Review and approve journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and variance analytical prepared by the team, maintaining ultimate accountability for financial accuracy.
• Support the Senior Manager, Payroll Accounting by providing advanced expertise on complex, non-routine, and high-risk transactions.
• Partner effectively with FP&A Wages, Payroll Operations, and HR (both finance and non-finance teams) to ensure financial records are accurate and completed in a timely manner.
• Lead and execute performance and departmental improvement projects to continuously optimize payroll accounting workflows, controls, and efficiencies.
• Manage and coordinate internal and external audits, acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring full compliance with accounting standards and policies.
• Proactively review and challenge accounting assumptions and judgments, documenting conclusions and escalating key risk areas appropriately.
• Manage, coach, and develop two Payroll Accountants, fostering a high-performance team environment and driving their professional growth.

Qualifications

• (HBO) Bachelor or Master of Accounting, Business Administration or Business Economy - Finance Focus
• Minimum 3 - 5 years relevant work experience in an international company work environment
• Strong knowledge and understanding of accounting; knowledge/exposure to FP&A (business controls) is preferred.
• Fluent in English, both written and oral.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and data analytical/manipulation skills
• Enthusiastic and eager to learn with a practical (hands‑on) mentality.
• Able to work independently but is not afraid to ask questions/guidance.
• Strong analytical and communication skills;
• Respects and brings others along: is a team player, values partnerships and builds capability
• Handles challenges and gets results shows flexibility, displays sense of urgency;
• Understands the problem identification, problem-solving process and be able to follow through to get the result needed (STAR).
• Strong level of autonomy and self-accountability
• Can easily adapt to and work in a dynamic changing environment

Foot Locker is entitled to assign other duties than those associated with the position as described above, if such would be in the best interest of the Company.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the Netherlands.

Benefits

• Recognition, inclusion and belonging in a diverse environment
• 25 holidays and flexible working (hybrid position, in office ~2 days p/w)
• Employee Discount on in-store and online products
• Casual Sneaker Culture
• Learning & Health/Wellbeing programs
• Career development and growth in an ambitious international team
• Travel reimbursement
• Access to premium wellness apps
• Bike plan and contribution to gym subscription
• Pension Plan
• Discounted Collective Health plans
• Activities organized by our Social Committee #