Transformation Lead, Lisbon / Payroll Transformation

• Location: Alcântara, Lisbon, Portugal


• Working hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)


• Work model: Hybrid, 3 days per week in the office and 2 from home, with occasional travel.


• Contract type: Permanent

Are you a transformation leader who enjoys turning a new global payroll solution into a stable, well-run operation? Do you want to shape the operating model and drive the next phase of a multi-country programme? Then you might be the person we are looking for.

As our new Transformation Lead, Payroll, you will be part of our Transformation team, reporting to the Transition Manager, and play an important role in leading the transition of STG's global payroll from implementation to stable run, embedding new ways of working, stabilising operations, driving the next project phase, and building a scalable deployment model for future countries. You will work closely with the payroll operations team, the build team, implementation partners and the steering committee to deliver a smooth handover and successful rollout across countries and clusters. This is a great opportunity to lead a global payroll transformation in an international organization.

What your day will look like

In this role, you will typically:

• Own the transition from implementation teams and external partners to STG Payroll Operations, ensuring operational readiness and long-term stability.


• Drive transformation and change across payroll operations by embedding standardized processes, governance, and best practices globally.


• Define and implement the target payroll operating model, including roles, responsibilities, governance, and RACI framework.


• Develop and maintain the global payroll rollout playbook, creating a repeatable implementation approach for future countries and clusters deployments.


• Lead rollout planning, go-live readiness, and deployment activities for upcoming countries and regions.


• Drive service stabilization, issue resolution, change requests, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance payroll service delivery.


• Coordinate key partners (Deloitte, Mercans, and SuccessFactors) and ensure alignment across Payroll, HR, IT, and business stakeholders.


• Provide regular updates on progress, risks, and key decisions to SteerCo and senior leadership.

What you'll bring

• At least 5 years of professional experience, including managing payroll or HR transformation projects, ideally across multiple countries.


• Strong understanding of payroll operations, outsourced payroll service models, and SuccessFactors.


• Experience designing operating models, driving organizational change, and standardizing global processes.


• Strong stakeholder management, governance, and program delivery capabilities.


• Fluent English; Portuguese is a plus.

Working at STG & What to expect

At Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG), we are so much more than what meets the eye. We combine the strength of global brands with the entrepreneurial mindset that allows people to make a real impact. Here you'll have the opportunity to grow your career, collaborate across borders, and help shape what's next. At STG you'll find more than a role — you'll find opportunities to grow, collaborate across borders, and make a meaningful impact.

For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from €35,000 to €45,000, corresponding to the level of the position, expected experience and responsibilities.

Incentives and Benefits: the salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level, location, functional area and relevant market benchmarks.

In Portugal, you will also enjoy 27 days of holiday plus your birthday off, as well as health, life and accident insurance.

Ready to be part of something bigger? Apply now and discover much more.

Our recruitment process

Before starting our hiring process, your application will be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team. We assess each application against the key competencies and requirements for the role. If your experience and skills are a good match, you'll be invited to continue through our hiring process, which may include the following steps:

• Recruiter screen (20–30 minutes)


• Interview with the hiring manager


• Personality assessment (PI)


• Final interview with key stakeholders

Scandinavian Tobacco Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please be informed that this Direct Search is conducted exclusively by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. We do not accept applications from agencies, and we will not provide compensation for unsolicited CVs.