Global Payroll Administrator

Canonical - Jobs; Cape Town; Remote; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading software firm is seeking a Payroll Administrator to manage global payroll and contractor payments, ensuring timely and accurate payroll delivery. Responsibilities include processing payroll data, managing deadlines, and improving payroll systems. Candidates should have experience with outsourced payroll bureaus and excellent communication skills. This role supports a distributed work environment with competitive benefits.

Benefits

Performance-driven annual bonus

Learning and development budget

Annual holiday leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Experience working with outsourced payroll bureaus.
• Ability to solve problems when faced with new challenges.
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all payrolls are delivered on time and with accuracy.
• Process payroll/contractor data in an organized manner.
• Manage payroll deadlines and monthly payroll tasks.

Skills

Experience in a similar payroll role

Excellent communication skills

Strong process and planning mindset

Analytical skills and attention to detail

Ability to work with different software systems

Tools

Spreadsheets

Job description

About Canonical

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder‑led, profitable, and growing.

Role Overview

We’re looking for an exceptional payroll administrator with experience working with outsourced payroll bureaus to manage the company’s end‑to‑end global payroll and contractor payments. This role may be office based out of London or home based and will report to our Global Financial Controller.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all payrolls are always delivered on time and with % accuracy.
• Process the payroll/contractor data in an organised and structured manner.
• Manage all payroll deadlines and monthly payroll tasks.
• Prepare payroll reports and provide monthly payroll data in journal format to finance for processing.
• Comply with GDPR regulations and maintain payroll security/confidentiality.
• Deal with payroll queries and resolve or escalate as required.
• Constantly seek out ways to improve systems and processes to ensure a seamless flow between HR, payroll and finance.
• Keep payroll policies up to date and write any new procedures as required.
• Provide support to any project‑related activities from Finance and HR.
• Assist with future expansions of global payrolls and other projects.
• Manage all payroll correspondence and act as a point of contact for all escalated payroll queries.
• Maintain strong cross‑functional team relationships.
• Build strong relationships with vendors to ensure excellent service delivery and compliance in all countries.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar payroll role or working with outsourced payroll bureaus.
• Excellent communication skills to converse with external parties and internal team members of all levels.
• Strong process and planning mindset.
• Ability to think outside the box and solve problems when faced with new challenges.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Exceptional planning/organisational skills and being deadline‑oriented.
• Ability to work with different software systems, and have excellent knowledge of spreadsheets and formulas.
• Being a team player as well as being able to work independently.

Benefits

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance‑driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person. Personal learning and development budget of USD 2, per year. Annual compensation review. Recognition rewards. Annual holiday leave. Maternity and paternity leave. Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform. Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues. Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.

EEO Statement

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

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