Senior Payroll Manager Europe

Position Overview:

We are looking for a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Payroll Manager to oversees our payroll operations. This role is multifaceted, combining expertise in payroll management, compliance, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration across Europe region. With operations in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland our goal is to provide precise and compliant payroll services to our regional workforce. The role will be a dual role between leading the regional operations and to participate / lead the transformation / Continuous improvement agenda.

This role will report to the Global Payroll Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee Payroll Operations: Manage end-to-end payroll processes, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing for all employees in compliance with the local markets and in internal policies.

• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to address payroll-related inquiries and issues. Build strong relationships with HR, Finance, Global Mobility, Equity and other departments.

• Working in conjunction with the key COE members (Center of Expertise team) in term of key activities such as Vendor Management, continuous improvement, development and implementation of policies, procedures and maintain payroll policies.
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

• Lead and support payroll transformation initiatives to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and integrate new technologies.

• Ensures (through relevant audits and reporting) that the payroll systems, processes, policies and tools are compliant with Unilever's internal-process standards and external regulatory requirements.

• Generate and analyze payroll reports to provide insights and support decisionmaking. Identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payroll professionals to achieve operational excellence and career growth.

• Develop and oversee activities/plans required to mitigate/prevent country exposure to both internal and external risk.

• Shares internal and external knowledge and best practices amongst the members of the PEX Leadership and Payroll expertise team.

Qualifications, experience and skills set required:
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in payroll operations specially in Netherlands or Poland payroll operations. Belgium and Germany experience is desirable, with at least 5 years in a management role.

• Proven experience in managing multi-countries and cross-functional stakeholders and payroll vendors.

• In-depth understanding of SOX controls and compliance requirements.

• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

• Ability to work under pressure and in a complex global environment.

• Able to create and drive adoption and execution of a shared vision and strategy for change.

• Speaking English fluent professional. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including creation and delivery of effective presentations. Speaking German or local language will be a “plus”

• High financial and business acumen.

• Strong in selling ideas and concepts.

• Inspiring, motivational, and accountable people leader, able to lead remote and cross-cultural teams and connect people and ideas.

• Strong in project and time management for complex global projects

• Flexibility and agile mindset.

SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviours

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.