About the Company A fast-growing global technology organisation operating in a highly dynamic and evolving market are looking for an International Payroll Manager to join their team in Madrid.

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and proactive International Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across more than 10 legal entities throughout Europe and Asia. This is a critical role responsible for ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll services while providing an exceptional employee experience.

The International Payroll

Manager will work closely with Finance, Human Resources, external payroll providers, and the US Payroll Manager to establish and maintain a best-in-class global payroll function. The role will be responsible for payroll governance, compliance, vendor management, process optimization, employee support, and driving payroll transformation initiatives across multiple jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

Payroll operations

- Manage end-to-end payroll operations across more than 10 legal entities in Europe and Asia.
- Ensure payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with local tax, employment, and statutory regulations.
- Oversee payroll inputs, validations, approvals, reconciliations, and reporting activities.
- Maintain strong payroll controls and ensure compliance with internal policies and audit requirements.
- Coordinate monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll activities.
- Ensure payroll records and supporting documentation are maintained accurately and securely.

Global Payroll Partnership:
- Partner closely with the US Payroll Manager to develop and maintain a consistent general payroll strategy and operating model.
- Share best practices and drive alignment of payroll processes, controls, governance, and reporting standards across regions.
- Collaborate on global payroll initiatives, system implementations, vendor strategies, and continuous improvement programs.




- Support the development of scalable payroll processes that enable business growth and operational excellence.
- Act as a key member of the global payroll team, fostering strong collaboration between regional payroll stakeholders.

Vendor Management:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for external payroll providers.
- Lead payroll vendor selection, tendering (RFP) processes, contract negotiations, and implementation activities.
- Manage vendor performance against service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Conduct regular service reviews and drive continuous improvement with payroll providers.
- Identify opportunities to simplify, consolidate, and optimize payroll vendor relationships globally.

Process Improvement and Transformation:
- Review existing payroll processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service quality.
- Lead initiatives to streamline, standardize, automate, and document payroll processes across multiple countries.
- Drive payroll transformation projects and implement payroll best practices.
- Partner with HRIS, Finance, and technology teams to improve payroll systems and integrations.
- Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and process documentation.

Finance and HR Partnership
- Work closely with Finance and HR teams to ensure seamless payroll operations and data accuracy.
- Support compensation, benefits, equity, mobility, and workforce-related initiatives with payroll implications.
- Assist with new entity setups, business expansions, acquisitions, and organizational changes.
- Provide payroll reporting, analysis, and insights to support decision-making and financial planning.




- Support month-end close activities, payroll accounting, accruals, and reconciliations.

Employee Experience and Support
- Act as the primary escalation point for complex payroll-related employee inquiries.
- Provide responsive, professional, and employee-focused payroll support across multiple countries.
- Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and issues accurately and efficiently.
- Develop employee communications, guidance materials, and payroll-related training where required.
- Continuously improve the employee payroll experience through process enhancements and service improvements.

Compliance and Governance
- Maintain current knowledge of payroll regulations, taxation requirements, and employment legislation across Europe and Asia.
- Ensure compliance with all local statutory filing and reporting requirements.
- Support internal and external audits and ensure appropriate payroll controls are maintained.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate payroll-related risks.
- Ensure payroll processes meet all applicable legal, regulatory, and company requirements.

Required Skills

- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 7 years' experience in international payroll management.
- Proven experience managing payroll across multiple countries, ideally across Europe and Asia.
- Strong experience working with outsourced payroll providers and global payroll delivery models.
- Demonstrated success in vendor management, including supplier selection, contract negotiation, and performance management.
- Experience leading payroll process improvement, transformation, or system implementation projects.
- Solid understanding of payroll controls, compliance, governance, and payroll accounting principles.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with payroll reporting.

📌 International Payroll Manager (Madrid)
🏢 the rec hub.
📍 Madrid