Global Payroll Analyst

About Us Locaria is a leading multilingual marketing and linguistic services agency that operates across more than 90 global markets. We blend insights, data, talent and technology to take global content further for ambitious brands.​ Locaria is central to the global content solution of Stagwell, the challenger advertising network.#Li-Hybrid Overview The Global Payroll Analyst is responsible for coordinating and governing payroll activities across multiple international entities, ensuring payroll is delivered accurately, on time, and in compliance with local statutory requirements. Working closely with the Shared Services Payroll team, external payroll providers, HR, and Finance, the role acts as the central point of coordination to validate payroll inputs and outputs, resolve issues, and ensure the integrity of payroll data. The role also provides global staff cost reporting and analysis, partnering with Finance to reconcile payroll costs, support monthend close, budgeting and forecasting. As the key link between HR Operations, Payroll, and Finance, the Global Payroll Analyst helps strengthen payroll governance, controls, and reporting across the organisation. Responsibilities Global Payroll Governance & Coordination Coordinate the end-to-end payroll process across multiple countries, ensuring payroll timelines, inputs, approvals, and outputs are managed effectively with the Shared Services Payroll team and external payroll providers. Review and validate payroll inputs prior to processing, ensuring employee data, contractual changes, variable pay, and statutory updates are complete and accurate. Validate payroll outputs through detailed review of Gross-to-Net (GTN) reports, identifying discrepancies, investigating variances, and working with Shared Services to resolve issues before payroll sign-off. Act as the primary liaison between HR, Shared Services Payroll, Finance, and external payroll providers to ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery. Develop and maintain knowledge of country-specific payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and payroll practices across supported regions. Support payroll governance by maintaining controls, documenting processes, monitoring service delivery, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and local regulations. Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, data quality, controls, and standardisation across global payroll operations. Staff Cost Reporting & Financial Analysis Reconcile payroll costs against budgets, forecasts, and financial records, investigating and explaining variances. Support month-end close activities, working closely with the Accounting and Controling Team, by ensuring payroll costs are accurately reflected in financial reporting. Produce accurate and timely global payroll and staff cost reporting for Finance and business stakeholders. Partner with FP&A to provide Headcount Cost analysis to support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making. Develop and maintain payroll reporting, dashboards, and reconciliations to improve visibility of global workforce costs. Support audits and internal control activities relating to payroll and staff costs. Qualifications 2–4 years experience in global payroll, payroll operations, HR Operations, Finance, or a similar analytical role. Experience coordinating payroll activities across multiple countries in partnership with Shared Services teams or outsourced payroll providers. Understanding of payroll processes, payroll controls, and statutory compliance; knowledge of Spain, the UK, and Mexico is advantageous. Strong analytical and numerical skills with the ability to interpret payroll data, identify anomalies, and perform reconciliations. Excellent attention to detail with a focus on data integrity, accuracy, and compliance. Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple payroll calendars, priorities, and stakeholders across different countries. Advanced Excel skills; experience with HRIS, payroll systems, and reporting tools is highly desirable. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across HR, Finance, Shared Services, and external payroll providers. Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused, with a continuous improvement mindset. Fluent in English, both written and spoken. Equal Opportunities You’ll live up to the Locarian Values: We take content further We grow together Celebrating Individuality Doing good along the way With care D&I statement Locaria is global by nature and vastly strengthened by multicultural, international and eclectic teams. Working together to achieve shared goals, our employees recognise the importance of our core value ‘celebrating individuality’, and are supported by Locaria's breadth of cultural resources and insights that attract and retain the best talent. We appreciate the unique perspectives and experiences that each person brings to our team and are fully dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities across the board, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability and gender identity. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let our team know. Join our team and become part of a vibrant workplace and company culture that values and celebrates individuality! Benefits Holiday: You will be entitled to 20 working days paid leave per year (pro-rata in first year based on starting date). Birthday Day Off: As a gift from us you will receive an extra day off for your birthday each year. If your birthday falls on a weekend, then you can take this the Friday before or Monday after. Refer a Friend Scheme: We’re always on the lookout for talented people. If you refer a friend who is then hired, we will award you with a bonus depending on the level of the role being recruited for. Rest and Recharge: The option to lengthen your standar 1 hour lunch break by 30 minutes, as long as you maintain the same number of hours you work a day. Abroad Working: The opportunity to work from anywhere, whilst still working, allowing you to re-engage with your local culture, keep your native language current and increase wellbeing by staying in touch with family and friends. Do Some Good Along the Way Days: In line with our 'Doing Some Good Along The Way' value, which you will have the opportunity to get involved with if you'd like to. This also allows all employees up to 2 days off a year to get involved in charity initiatives. Annual Wellbeing Calendar: We promote a healthy working environment, which is why we have a calendar with dedicated wellbeing sessions and initiatives throughout the year.