Payroll Manager

Manager – Global Payroll

🌍 UK or Europe | Fully Remote

📄 Permanent

Lead Global Payroll with a Hands-On Approach

XML International is looking for an experienced Global Payroll Manager to join our international payroll team.

This is a senior, hands-on payroll leadership position for someone who combines deep global payroll expertise with strong people management and practical experience processing payroll across multiple countries.

We're particularly interested in payroll professionals who have worked closely with in-house or client payrolls and understand payroll operations beyond system administration.

What You'll Do

• Lead and supervise the payroll team, ensuring payroll activities are completed accurately and efficiently.
• Oversee global payroll processing across multiple countries.
• Ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain compliance with applicable local employment legislation, tax regulations and payroll requirements.
• Manage payroll transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, deductions, taxes and third-party payments.
• Coordinate timekeeping processes and ensure employee hours are accurately captured.
• Maintain and audit payroll records.
• Manage payroll discrepancies through to resolution.
• Liaise with auditors regarding payroll tax audits and compliance.
• Oversee payroll changes, process improvements and system upgrades.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Finance and Global Delivery teams to maintain accurate payroll data.
• Document payroll procedures and implement payroll best practices.
• Coach, train and develop payroll team members.
• Support the Global Payroll Director across payroll operations, compliance and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

✔ Strong professional experience managing global and multi-country payrolls.

✔ Proven hands-on payroll processing experience, ideally managing in-house and/or client payrolls.

✔ 8+ years of experience managing, coaching and developing a payroll team of 3 or more people.

✔ Strong understanding of payroll tax, labour legislation and local regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

✔ Experience managing salaries, deductions, benefits, taxes and third-party payroll payments.

✔ Strong payroll reconciliation, auditing and data-management capabilities.

✔ Experience collaborating with HR, Finance and other international stakeholders.

✔ Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

✔ Strong technology capability across payroll and HR systems, while remaining comfortable with hands-on payroll operations.

✔ Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.

✔ Stable career history demonstrating commitment and progression.

Education

A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline is required according to the role profile.

Remote Working

This is a fully remote position, open to candidates based in the UK or Europe.

As the role involves highly confidential payroll and employee information, candidates must have access to an appropriate secure remote workstation.

What We Offer

• Permanent, fully remote position
• International and multi-country payroll exposure
• Leadership responsibility within a global payroll function
• Opportunity to work closely with the Global Payroll Director
• International working environment

Interested?

If you're an experienced payroll leader who enjoys staying close to the numbers and the payroll process, rather than managing solely through systems or external providers, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply with your current CV.