International Payroll and Administration Manager

International Payroll and Administration Manager

Division: HR

Job Location:

Leuven, Belgium

At EIT Food we accelerate innovation to build a future‑fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all. To achieve this, we are leading the world’s largest food innovation community. Through a missions‑led approach, we put improving outcomes for people and planet as the starting point for our work.

Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, we invest in projects, organisations and individuals that share our goals for a healthy and sustainable food system. We unlock innovation potential in businesses and universities and create and scale agritech startups to bring new technologies and products to market. And we equip entrepreneurs and professionals with the skills needed to transform the food system and educate and inspire the next generation.

Our innovation projects are delivered with a combination of industry, education, and research partners to improve environmental and health outcomes, by developing solutions that align with our three missions:
Healthier Lives Through Food, A Net Zero Food System, and Reducing Risk for a Fair and Resilient Food System.

EIT Food headquarters (HQ) are based in Leuven (Belgium) and it has 5 regional hubs in Europe (based in Poland, Spain, Germany, the UK and Netherlands), each working with and for partners in several EIT Food partner countries.

Visit our website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..eu

We are now looking for an International Payroll and Administration Manager to oversee and coordinate payroll and HR administration activities across several European countries. Across EIT Food, we employ approximately 140 people in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, the UK and Germany. The role currently covers Belgium, the largest country, the Netherlands and employees hired through Employer of Record (EoR) arrangements, representing all together about 70 employees.

Over time, the scope of this role is expected to expand to additional countries, ensuring consistent processes and a robust backup system for business continuity.

While the person in this role is expected to contribute to global HR process alignment and support cross‑country coordination, the position remains mainly operational and hands‑on.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and delivering payroll and HR administration in a structured, dependable, and compliant manner, with clear ownership of designated processes.

Collaboration with the HR Officer and local colleagues is essential, but the role goes beyond support or oversight - it requires active execution and accountability.

With the recent implementation of Success Factors, we now have a solid platform to support uniform and streamlined HR administration across all regions.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee and execute monthly payroll operations for Belgium, the Netherlands and EoR employees.
• Ensure timely and accurate salary payments, statutory declarations and year end reporting.
• Function as the main point of contact for external payroll providers and internal stakeholders.
• Progressively take responsibility for payroll related activities in more countries, ensuring alignment and compliance.

• Implement and handle employment and benefits administration throughout the entire employee lifecycle (Employment contracts, leave management, insurances, ...)
• Maintain accurate and compliant personnel files and HR data.
• Harmonise administrative processes and documentation.
• Supporting managers and employees with HR and Benefits queries.

• Perform continuous legal and regulatory monitoring to ensure full compliance with the applicable local labour legislation, tax rules, and social security obligations.
• Identify changes and align with the HR Director when adjustments to existing processes, policies, or documentation are needed.
• Contribute to internal controls and audit readiness.

• Ensure data accuracy and support the consistent use of the…