Manager, Payroll Harmonization – Europe

Overview

• Lead and drive payroll harmonization and standardization initiatives across multiple European countries.
• Analyze existing local payroll processes, systems and policies and identify optimization and alignment opportunities.
• Design and implement standardized scalable payroll processes while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
• Act as the expert for payroll topics, providing guidance and strategic direction to stakeholders.
• Take leadership responsibility for projects and/or functional teams, including coordination, mentoring and decision-making.
• Manage and align cross-functional and cross-country stakeholders (e.g., HR, Finance, IT, external providers).
• Ensure timely and successful delivery of payroll transformation projects, including planning, tracking and risk management.
• Collaborate with IT and vendors on payroll system implementations, integrations and improvements.
• Drive data consistency, data quality and reporting standards across countries.
• Balance global harmonization goals with legal and business requirements.
• Identify and implement process improvements and efficiency gains within payroll operations.
• Support change management activities, including communication, training and stakeholder management.
• Monitor compliance with legal, tax and social security regulations in different European countries.
• Provide senior-level input to strategic decisions related to payroll and HR operations.

• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, HR operations or a related field.
• Extensive professional experience in payroll, HR operations, or similar, ideally in a European/multi-country environment.
• Proven experience in payroll harmonization, transformation, or cross-country projects.
• Strong knowledge of European payroll regulations, tax, and social security.
• Experience with payroll systems (e.g., SAP, Workday, ADP or similar).
• Demonstrated leadership experience (project leadership, mentoring, or functional responsibility).
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Analytical, structured, and solution-oriented mindset.
• Experience in international and matrix organizations.
• High level of ownership and ability to work in complex environments.
• Fluent in English.