Manager Payroll Harmonization Europe (d/f/m)

In this role you drive payroll harmonization across Europe, shaping standardized processes and ensuring regulatory compliance. You will lead cross-country payroll projects, align stakeholders, and partner with IT and external providers to transform payroll operations. Your work directly supports scaling and data integrity to enable consistent, compliant payroll delivery. This is a strategic position that combines people leadership with process optimization to advance our global payroll capabilities.

• Lead payroll harmonization and standardization initiatives across multiple European countries
• Analyze local payroll processes and identify optimization opportunities
• Design and implement standardized, scalable payroll processes with regulatory compliance
• Act as payroll expert guiding stakeholders and setting strategic direction
• Lead projects or functional teams with coordination, mentoring, and decision-making
• Coordinate cross-functional and cross-country stakeholders (HR, Finance, IT, external providers)
• Ensure timely delivery of payroll transformation projects with planning, tracking and risk management
• Collaborate with IT and vendors on payroll system implementations and improvements
• Drive data consistency, data quality and reporting standards across countries
• Balance global harmonization goals with local legal and business requirements
• Identify and implement process improvements and efficiency gains in payroll operations
• Support change management activities including communication, training and stakeholder management
• Monitor compliance with legal, tax, and social security regulations across Europe
• Provide senior-level input to strategic decisions related to payroll and HR operations

• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, HR operations or related field
• Extensive experience in payroll, HR operations or similar 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

• Stakeholder management
• Communication
• Analytical mindset
• Payroll systems (SAP, Workday, ADP)
• Regulatory knowledge (European payroll, tax, social security)
• Data quality and reporting