Director, Global Payroll Operations

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The Global Payroll Operations Director is responsible for overseeing and managing payroll operations across all countries (except USA) in which the company operates. This leadership role ensures that all employees are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance with local laws and regulations. The role requires close collaboration with HR, Finance, Legal, and external payroll vendors to drive process standardization, operational excellence, and continuous improvement in global payroll processes. The role is responsible to create a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence, ensuring that core HR processes are delivered efficiently, consistently and compliantly - ensuring excellent value for money and a great employee experience.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Duties

• Develop and implement global payroll strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency.

• Build and maintain relationships with local country leadership to ensure collaboration between teams for maximum efficiency while serving business needs

• Partner with other functional and business leaders to ensure transactional payroll services delivered in alignment with business objectives and employee life cycle events

• Ensure appropriate business continuity plans in place to minimize any critical impact on production activities.

• Management of Third Parties provider relationships (i.e. banks, government bodies)

• Identify opportunities for improvement and efficiency within the HR Shared Service area

• General Duties

• Lead and manage end-to-end global payroll operations across multiple regions

• Ensure compliance with all local, state, federal, and international regulatory requirements, including tax laws, social security, and labor legislation.

• Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing in accordance with establish deadlines for all employees, including expatriates, B2B workers, freelancers, etc.

• Establish operational goals and objectives in alignment with VP, Payroll Operations

• Resolve payroll employee and manager questions and issues in accordance with SLAs

• Identify opportunities to improve customer service for all employees. This includes analyzing case management data, conducting periodic surveys, forming focus groups, analyzing processes, and benchmarking best practices.

• Ensure that established policies and procedures are followed by the team members.

• Participate in special projects as needed (i.e acquisitions)

• Internal Controls/Audits

• Oversee payroll audits and ensure readiness for internal/external audits and SOX compliance.

• Develop, document, implement, and comply with all defined internal controls.            

• Liaise with internal and external auditors to ensure the function meets its statutory audit duties.

• Procedural Documentation

• Ensure standard operating procedures (SOPs) fully developed and updated, as needed.

• Ensure each team members appropriately trained and refreshed on recurring basis with changes.

• Follow and comply with relevant FME policies, HR Compliance guidelines, manuals and SOPs

• Reporting/Metrics

• Implement and effectively track SLA’s and key performance metrics that support continuous improvement of the customer service delivered utilizing existing technologies and processes

• Support KPI monthly reporting through tracking of required data

• Report monthly updates to the business and HR leadership on the current team’s performance and potential risks

• Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing global payroll team.

• Manage and supervise the staff under your responsibility: organize working methods/conditions, give work instructions, manage time and absences, manage conflicts, provide guidance and propose sanctions.

• Ensure internal rules are disseminated and applied: policies, internal regulations, operating methods, etc.

• Coach team members on training and development opportunities for growth.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Educated to degree level, with a professional HR or Payroll qualification

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Minimum of 10 years payroll/HR related experience

• 7+ years’ supervisory experience of large multi-country teams

• Strong knowledge of HR and payroll concepts and processes.

• Experience in HR management positions, managing teams in a fast-paced, multi-site/location environment with a large direct workforce, ideally in healthcare

• Experience of working in a complex matrix environment (cross functionally and cross culturally)

• Experience with project management and implementing HR Systems

• Ability to analyze data and generate insight, which is then deployed to drive positive change

• Confident in influencing and managing senior stakeholders in a complex matrix environment

• Experience of Managing benefits and liaising with external 3rd party providers to resolve issues

• Knowledge of social legislation and taxes

• Demonstrate ability to foster, and drive a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement

• Able to work deadlines in a calm and organized manner and to deliver under pressure

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task and reprioritize tasks when necessary

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy

• Able to build strong relationships both internally and externally

• Strong process and improvement mindset, constantly seeking to improve and develop processes

• High levels of personal commitment

• Proven ability to identify problems and take initiative to implement corrective action.

• Ability to continuously think of ways to perform job duties more efficiently and effectively.

• Exceptional communication, organizational, customer service, interpersonal and analytical skills.

• Experience in a high volume and multifaceted environment is required with the ability to meet deadlines.

• Strong focus on controls and adherence to all established policies and procedures.

• Position requires a thorough understanding of the daily activities of the processing team to provide assistance and direction. Incumbent must be able to fulfill the job duties of the Payroll Supervisors as needed.

• Spoken and written English (C1 or C2 level)

• Proficiency in Payroll systems

• Proficiency in HRIS systems, preferably WorkDay

• MS Office & Teams

• Willingness to travel

• Willingness to work flexible hours to meet with teams across the world

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