Global Payroll Manager-Europe

Vaco Highspring is recruiting exclusively on behalf of a well established Fortune 500 enterprise organisation.

• Annual Bonus: 15% target
• (Estimated £92,000 Total Comp), please note, bonus will be pro-rated based on start date.

• Work Arrangement: Onsite, South East England (within practical commuting distance of the Western Greater London / Thames Valley corridor)
• Confidentiality Notice: Exact office location to be disclosed at shortlist stage only

• This position requires regular physical presence in the office and is not designed as a remote or hybrid role
• Applicants must already be locally based within a reasonable commuting distance
• Candidates must possess the legal, unrestricted right to work in the UK
• The organisation does not provide visa sponsorship
  , either now or in the future
• This opportunity is offered on a permanent, direct employment basis only (no contract to hire, umbrella, or third-party arrangements)

This role sits within the European payroll function of a globally scaled enterprise
, supporting pay operations across multiple jurisdictions for a workforce numbering in the several thousand range
.

The organisation has recently completed significant payroll systems and operating model changes. As a result, this role is focused on embedding stability, reinforcing controls, and ensuring consistent operational delivery
, rather than driving further transformation.

The Senior Manager will serve as a hands on operational leader
, working closely with cross functional partners and external payroll providers to ensure timely, compliant, and accurate payroll execution across a diverse European footprint.

• Provides operational ownership for multi jurisdictional payroll delivery across Europe
• Acts as a stabilising presence following enterprise wide payroll and systems change initiatives
• Ensures standardised processes, controls, and governance frameworks are consistently applied
• Maintains close involvement in payroll execution, issue resolution, and country specific nuances
• Oversees service delivery performance across multiple external payroll partners
• Partners with HR, Finance, Tax, and Legal stakeholders to support ongoing business requirements
• Supports audit readiness through documentation, process adherence, and data integrity
• Leads and develops a geographically distributed payroll team
  , promoting accountability and continuity

Payroll operations span a varied European landscape
, encompassing:

• Northern European jurisdictions
• Southern European markets
• Western European countries
• Smaller EU locations with heightened regulatory complexity

Specific country detail will be shared later in the interview process.

• Employee population: High volume, enterprise scale workforce (multiple thousands)
• Delivery Model: Outsourced payroll partners supported by enterprise payroll technology
• Context: Post implementation / post restructuring operational environment

• Minimum 6 years' experience within payroll operations, responsibility managing multiple payroll specialists for a minimum of 3+ countries simultaneously throughout Europe.
• Payroll Management experience in Enterprise environment, supporting thousands of employees.
• Demonstrated exposure to enterprise payroll organisations following system implementations or operating model redesigns
• Prior people management or team coordination experience within payroll or shared services
• Academic background in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline
• Professional payroll certification advantageous (UK, regional, or international equivalents acceptable)

• Strong working knowledge of European statutory payroll obligations
  , including labour and tax considerations
• Comfort operating as a detail oriented, execution focused manager
  , not solely a strategic overseer
• Ability to support, coach, and maintain performance across distributed teams
• Experience managing vendor led payroll delivery models
• Highly developed organisational and analytical skills with strong attention to accuracy
• Clear, professional communicator across functions and regions
• Familiarity with enterprise payroll systems, integrations, and upstream/downstream data flows
• Proven ability to operate effectively within complex, matrixed global organisations
• Track record demonstrating consistency, role stability, and sustained operational ownership

This position offers the chance to contribute meaningfully to the long term stability and effectiveness of a post transformation European payroll function within a globally recognised enterprise, with emphasis on execution excellence, governance, and reliability rather than ongoing transformation.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic…