Interim Global Payroll Manager

Location: London

Status: Contract (4 months)

Reports to: Global Tax Manager

Works with: Finance Team

Job purpose 

The role is to provide subject matter expertise, project leadership, and direction to a payroll team of three, based in the UK, US and Canada. The successful candidate will support global payroll operations across all locations, including but not limited to Germany, Tokyo, China, France, Finland, New Zealand, Switzerland for approximately 370 employees

Principal accountabilities:

Payroll Operations

• Oversee accurate and timely end-to-end payroll processing across all locations
• Manage payroll-related benefits, including retirement savings and health insurance.
• Process employee changes (new hires, departures, updates) and relocation/severance payments.
• Approve BACS files for employee payments.
• Serve as the primary contact for employee payroll queries.
• Maintain payroll files in line with applicable records retention laws.
• Coordinate with third-party payroll providers and Employer of Record (EOR) partners.
• Reconcile EOR invoices and process related payments and journals

Compliance & Statutory Reporting

• Ensure payroll compliance with local tax laws and statutory requirements across all jurisdictions.
• Support the preparation and submission of statutory reports
• Ensure accurate and timely payments to tax authorities and external partners.
• Provide legislative and technical payroll advice to HR and internal stakeholders.
• Review and analyse payroll procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Maintain robust internal controls and documentation for audit readiness.

Project & Systems Management

• Lead and support the implementation of new payroll systems and integration platforms.
• Drive continuous improvement of payroll processes and system enhancements.
• Ensure the payroll team follows standardised procedures and best practices.

Accounting & Financial Planning

• Review and approve monthly payroll journals in the accounting system.
• Maintain a schedule of non-payroll staff costs (e.g., secondees, consultants) and prepare monthly accruals.
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and post accounting journals.
• Deliver monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll reports (e.g., gross payroll, tax deductions, leave accruals).
• Assist in quarterly financial planning and budgeting, including variance analysis and forecasting.
• Prepare and submit payroll-related information to third-party organisations as required.

Skills and attributes:

Essential 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of managing the payroll operation including payroll processes, tax regulations, GDPR, benefit, and statutory requirement knowledge. Hands on experience in Statutory payments/deductions and pension contributions and their management.


• Experience working in an international environment.


• Proven experience in a payroll management role working in a multi-currency environment, managing a team of at least 2 direct reports.


• Good understanding of payroll compliance, rules, and legislations in a multi-country environment


• Thorough understanding of upstream and downstream processes that impact Payroll.


• Experience with analysis / review / improvement of payroll procedures and processes.


• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines


• Excellent attention to detail, with a high degree of accuracy in processing payroll data.


• Proven ability to adapt and work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.


• Excellent and positive interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal with individuals at all levels.


• Discretion and ability to handle confidential information and maintain a high level of professionalism.


• Familiar with payroll software.


• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office; proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel (intermediate Excel functions, i.e., pivot tables, sorting, linking, etc.)                                                                                  


• Payroll qualifications e.g., Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)
  

Preferred 

• Experience working for a not-for-profit organisation.


• Experience with Business Central.

Application Closing Date:  2nd September  2025

Please note that while we have a closing date for this application, we reserve the right to interview candidates and potentially close the role early should we find a suitable candidate before the closing date.

Help shape the future of reporting for global financial markets

The IFRS Foundation is a public interest, not-for profit organisation that sets corporate reporting standards for the capital markets globally. IFRS Accounting Standards are required for use by more than 140 countries whilst IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards are rapidly becoming the global baseline for sustainability disclosures worldwide.

We are a highly diverse and inclusive organisation. Our 350+ staff come from more than 45+ different countries and are united in supporting the mission of the Foundation to bring transparency, accountability and efficiency to capital markets worldwide. With offices in London, Frankfurt, Montreal, Tokyo, Beijing and San Francisco, the Foundation is truly a global standard-setter.

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