We are looking for a Global Payroll Manager who is immediately available for a contract assignment. The role is to provide subject matter expertise, project leadership, and direction to a payroll team of three, based in the UK, US and Canada. The successful candidate will support global payroll operations across all locations, including but not limited to Germany, Tokyo, China, France, Finland, New Zealand, Switzerland for approximately 370 employees

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Operations

• Oversee accurate and timely end-to-end payroll processing across all locations.
• Manage payroll-related benefits, including retirement savings and health insurance.
• Process employee changes (new hires, departures, updates) and relocation/severance payments.
• Approve BACS files for employee payments.
• Serve as the primary contact for employee payroll queries.
• Coordinate with third-party payroll providers and Employer of Record (EOR) partners.
• Reconcile EOR invoices and process related payments and journals

Compliance & Statutory Reporting

• Ensure payroll compliance with local tax laws and statutory requirements across all jurisdictions.
• Support the preparation and submission of statutory reports
• Ensure accurate and timely payments to tax authorities and external partners.

Accounting & Financial Planning

• Review and approve monthly payroll journals in the accounting system.
• Maintain a schedule of non-payroll staff costs (e.g., secondees, consultants) and prepare monthly accruals.
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and post accounting journals.
• Deliver monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll reports (e.g., gross payroll, tax deductions, leave accruals).
• Assist in quarterly financial planning and budgeting, including variance analysis and forecasting.
• Prepare and submit payroll-related information to third-party organisations as required.

Skills and attributes

• Strong knowledge and understanding of managing the payroll operation including payroll processes, tax regulations, GDPR, benefit, and statutory requirement knowledge. Hands on experience in Statutory payments/deductions and pension contributions and their management.
• Good understanding of payroll compliance, rules, and legislations in a multi-country environment
• Excellent attention to detail, with a high degree of accuracy in processing payroll data.
• Proven ability to adapt and work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent and positive interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal with individuals at all levels.
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential information and maintain a high level of professionalism.
• Familiar with payroll software.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office; proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel (intermediate Excel functions, i.e., pivot tables, sorting, linking, etc.).
• Thorough understanding of upstream and downstream processes that impact Payroll.
• Experience with analysis / review / improvement of payroll procedures and processes.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines

Qualifications and experience Essential:

• Payroll qualifications e.g., Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)
• Experience working in an international environment.
• Proven experience of at least 3 years in a payroll management role working in a multi-currency environment, managing a team of at least 2 direct reports.