International Payroll Operations Manager

The Role

A senior international payroll opportunity responsible for the end-to-end operational delivery of payrolls across multiple countries, combining team leadership, vendor management, new-country implementations and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate, compliant and timely international payroll delivery from end to end.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing payroll team.
• Review and approve payrolls, reconciliations, payments and key controls.
• Manage relationships and performance with external payroll vendors.
• Lead payroll implementation and stabilisation for new countries and store openings.
• Own international payroll calendars, deadlines and statutory requirements.
• Drive process improvements, efficiencies and opportunities to bring activities in-house.
• Support payroll audits, system upgrades, testing and legislative changes.
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex payroll issues.
• Partner with key stakeholders and support wider global payroll projects and transformation.

Ideal Candidate

• 7+ years EMEA/international payroll experience.
• Strong experience managing complex, multi-country payroll operations.
• Proven team management and coaching experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll controls, compliance and operational best practice.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers/vendors.
• Strong payroll implementation, transformation or project management experience.
• Confident working with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent Excel skills and a strong systems/process improvement mindset.
• CIPP qualified or equivalent.

Ideal for an experienced International/EMEA Payroll Manager who can combine hands-on operational leadership with transformation, implementations and continuous improvement.