Payroll Specialist 1 year contract

Payroll Specialist (1 year contract)
Ireland/UK
Full-time
Hybrid

About the Role

We’re looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to enable end-to-end payroll operations across EMEA. You will manage multi-country payroll cycles, ensure statutory compliance, partner with in-country providers (ICPs), and deliver accurate and timely payrolls for a diverse employee population. Experience with ADP Celergo (preferred) and core HRIS/payroll integrations like Oracle HCM is essential. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, global environment and brings a strong control mindset with excellent stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Processing

• Prepare, validate, and process monthly/fortnightly payrolls across multiple EMEA countries.

• Own gross-to-net calculations, off-cycles, retros, and reconciliations.

• Review pre- and post-payroll reports, audit files, GL postings, and variance analyses.

• Compliance & Controls

• Ensure statutory compliance with local country tax, social security, pensions, and benefit-in-kind requirements.

• Maintain robust controls, documentation, and audit readiness (internal & external).

• Coordinate year-end activities and complete on time to support employees for filing returns

• Vendor & ICP Management

• Partner with ADP Celergo (and/or other ICPs) for country-specific processing, SLAs, and issue resolution.

• Monitor vendor performance, drive root-cause analysis, and continuous improvements.

• HRIS & Integrations

• Validate and reconcile Oracle HCM/inbound/outbound payroll interfaces (new hires, terms, transfers, comp changes).

• Employee Support & Case Management

• Manage payroll queries and responding via the helpdesk/case management tool (e.g., ServiceNow,  Freshservice).

• Accounting & Finance Partnership

• Reconcile payroll accounts, support journal entries, and month-end close (accruals, provisions).

• Support treasury with funding files, bank payments, net pay, and statutory remittances.

• Operational Excellence

• Maintain and enhance SOPs, process maps, and control checklists.

• Lead/participate in projects: country transitions, M&A integrations, system enhancements, and new market entries.

• Track KPIs and drive continuous improvement (quality, timeliness, cost, and employee experience).
   

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 6–8 years of progressive payroll experience, with multi-country exposure in EMEA.

• Strong command of payroll processing and statutory compliance across APAC and EMEA countries.

• Hands-on experience working with ADP Celergo, ADP Vantage and ADP Streamline will be added advantage

• Proficient with Oracle HCM payroll integrations and data validation.

• Experience using a helpdesk/case tool (e.g., ServiceNow) for payroll tickets and SLAs.

• Good understanding of GL mapping, payroll accounting, and bank/payment files.

• Advanced Excel (lookups, pivots, reconciliations); strong data accuracy and numerical reasoning.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across time zones.

• Country-specific expertise (e.g., Belgium, Lux, Switzerland, Netherland and Nordic countries. 

• Knowledge of benefits in payroll, shadow payroll, and mobility/expat cases.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Technical: payroll calculations, statutory filings/remittances, year-end reporting, GL & reconciliations, interface validations.

• Compliance: country payroll laws, social security, pensions/super, tax deadlines, reporting formats.

• Systems: ADP Celergo (preferred), Oracle HCM, Workday, helpdesk tools

• Behavioural: ownership, integrity, attention to detail, problem-solving, discretion with sensitive data, collaboration.
   

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s in accounting/finance/HR or related field (or equivalent experience).
   

Work Schedule

• Ability to support cross-regional time zones during payroll cycles and critical cut-offs.