Global Payroll Manager

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Global Payroll Manager based in Spain.

This is a global leadership role responsible for building scalable, accurate, and efficient payroll operations across multiple countries.
You will combine deep payroll expertise with a systems-oriented approach to process improvement, automation, and operational excellence.
The role works closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, Treasury, FP&A, and external payroll providers across an international organization.
You will play a central role in strengthening payroll controls, compliance, reporting, and the employee experience as the organization continues to grow.
The position offers significant ownership over payroll infrastructure, technology adoption, and continuous improvement initiatives.
You will also lead and develop a team of global payroll professionals while partnering with senior stakeholders across the business.
The environment is highly distributed, technology-focused, multicultural, and fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on precision, accountability, and high-quality execution.

Accountabilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations across multiple countries, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, compliantly, and on time.
• Review, validate, and approve payrolls before final processing, while maintaining robust controls around payroll data, calculations, and approvals.
• Partner with HR, Accounting, Accounts Payable, Treasury, Financial Planning & Analysis, and external payroll providers to ensure smooth payroll operations and regulatory compliance.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve payroll controls, policies, procedures, documentation, and internal processes.
• Analyze payroll and salary costs, investigate variances, reconcile data, and provide clear explanations and insights to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable payroll tax, statutory reporting, employment, and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Serve as the primary payroll contact for internal and external audits, coordinating responses and ensuring requested documentation is complete and accurate.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and assess their impact on payroll processes, controls, and compliance obligations.
• Drive continuous improvement and automation initiatives that increase payroll accuracy, scalability, transparency, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
• Evaluate and incorporate emerging technologies, including AI, to improve payroll reporting, analysis, operational efficiency, and accuracy.
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and service providers, monitoring service levels, deliverables, performance, and compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and coach a team of global payroll professionals, setting direction, managing priorities, and supporting ongoing skills development.
• Identify and manage payroll-related compliance risks while ensuring alignment with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to scaling payroll infrastructure as the organization expands into new countries and operating environments.

Requirements:

• Significant experience managing multi-country or global payroll operations, with strong knowledge of payroll compliance, taxation, controls, and regulatory requirements.
• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is preferred, alongside a strong academic track record or an equivalent professional background.
• Demonstrated experience managing payroll audits, regulatory requirements, reconciliations, and complex payroll processes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong proficiency with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, spreadsheets, and data-driven payroll analysis.
• Experience implementing, optimizing, or improving payroll and HRIS platforms is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate discrepancies, identify root causes, and deliver accurate solutions.
• Proven people-management experience, including mentoring, coaching, setting direction, developing team capabilities, and maintaining high standards of performance.
• Experience supporting rapid organizational growth, international expansion, or new-country payroll launches is a plus.
• Experience in publicly traded or pre-IPO environments is desirable.
• A systems-oriented mindset with a genuine interest in automation, technology, AI, and using modern tools to improve operational processes.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with strong presentation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• High levels of precision, reliability, accountability, curiosity, flexibility, and self-motivation.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders across multicultural, multinational, and distributed teams.
• A results-oriented approach, strong work ethic, and willingness to take ownership and exceed expectations when required.
• MBA or another relevant advanced business qualification is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally approximately 2–4 times per year for company events, potentially lasting up to two weeks.

Benefits:

• Compensation shaped according to geographical location, experience, and performance.
• Performance-driven annual bonus or commission in addition to base compensation.
• Bi-annual compensation reviews to recognize performance and contribution.
• Fully distributed, home-based working environment across EMEA time zones, with an office option in London.
• Twice-yearly in-person team sprints and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues internationally.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Company recognition and rewards programs.
• 40 days of annual leave, including public holidays and company-wide holiday periods.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Team Member Assistance Program and wellness platform.
• Opportunities to travel internationally and meet colleagues in different locations.
• Priority Pass access for airport lounge benefits.
• Opportunity to work in a global, technology-focused environment with significant exposure to automation, AI, and scalable operational systems.

How Jobgether works: We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!  Why Apply Through Jobgether?    Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.     #LI-CL1