EMEA Payroll Manager

Michael Page; Województwo mazowieckie; Remote; PLN 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote role

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Career development opportunities

Inclusive culture

Meaningful impact across markets

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking an experienced EMEA Payroll Team Leader to oversee payroll operations across multiple European markets. The role ensures accurate, timely, compliant payroll delivery and drives continuous improvement while maintaining strong controls.

You will lead a payroll team, coordinate with HR, Finance, and external vendors, and support system implementations and process changes in a fully remote, international setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 7-9 years payroll experience.
• 3–5 years managing or processing complex EMEA payroll operations.
• CPP certification and strong leadership experience.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries.
• Ensure compliance with local employment legislation, tax regulations, and policies.
• Coordinate internal and external payroll audits and data accuracy.
• Lead and develop the payroll team, including performance management and recruitment.
• Monitor KPIs like processing accuracy, turnaround times, and stakeholder feedback.
• Drive standardization and continuous improvement across payroll processes.
• Maintain procedures and documentation; support system enhancements.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors for data governance.
• Support payroll system implementations and process changes.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Change management

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration/HR or related field

7-9 years payroll experience

CPP certification

Tools

Payroll systems

Reporting tools

Process automation

Job description

We are looking for an experienced EMEA Payroll Team Leader to lead and oversee payroll operations across multiple European markets. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, compliant, and efficient payroll delivery, while maintaining strong internal controls and driving continuous process improvement.

The organisation operates in the Life Science industry.

Description

• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries, ensuring accurate and timely processing and appropriate approval of payroll-related payments.
• Ensure compliance with applicable local employment legislation, tax regulations, and internal policies.
• Coordinate internal and external payroll audits, ensuring the accuracy of payroll data, processes, and supporting documentation.
• Lead and develop the payroll team, overseeing performance management, capacity planning, recruitment, and resource allocation.
• Monitor payroll performance indicators, including processing accuracy, error rates, turnaround times, and stakeholder feedback.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, standardization, and operational efficiency across payroll processes.
• Maintain payroll procedures and process documentation, supporting system enhancements and resolving operational issues in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Monitor employee and stakeholder inquiries, identify recurring issues, and implement improvements to service delivery.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors to ensure effective collaboration, accurate reporting, and appropriate data governance.
• Support payroll system implementations, process changes, and other transformation initiatives as required.

Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field; alternatively, 7-9 years of relevant payroll experience.
• At least 3‑5 years of experience managing or processing complex EMEA payroll operations, with a strong understanding of local tax regulations, compliance requirements, and employment legislation.
• Proven leadership experience, including team management and employee development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, implement new processes, and establish effective performance standards.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess payroll issues while considering deadlines, compliance requirements, and tax implications.
• Experience managing relationships with external payroll providers and vendors.
• Proficiency in payroll systems, reporting tools, and process automation
• Fluency in English; additional European languages would be an advantage.

Job Offer

• Flexible Working Arrangements / this role is fully remote
• Health and Wellbeing- Access to employee wellbeing initiatives and benefits designed to support health and work‑life balance
• Career Development - Opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and career progression within an international environment
• Inclusive Culture - A collaborative workplace that values diverse perspectives, teamwork, and individual contributions
• Meaningful Impact - The opportunity to lead regional operations, influence process improvements, and contribute to business performance across multiple markets