International Payroll Manager

About the role 

This role is the owner of payroll function at Cognism which includes working with our external payroll providers and benefit providers. You will initially manage payroll for 3 countries (UK, US and Canada) but also drive change and ultimately roll out new payroll systems and pick up payroll operations in 4 additional countries.

The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, systems savvy, a self-starter, a problem solver, and is comfortable challenging the status quo to improve and scale the function. This individual should be experienced in overseeing the end-to-end payroll process and driving process optimization/automation. You should also have experience partnering with multiple stakeholders and business partners to drive cross-functional initiatives while ensuring strong governance and compliance. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of payroll with a new global provider
• Responsible for monthly payroll process in the US, UK and Canada
• Drive, review, and audit work performed by payroll provider, including auditing payroll data, ensuring accurate wages, tax withholdings, deductions, and garnishments
• Manage third-party vendors and the preparation, analysis, and maintenance of all payroll-related reports, including governmental and regulatory filings, and payroll and benefit reconciliations 
• Reconciliation of payroll and benefits to the general ledger.
• Monthly UK pension scheme uploads and processing
• Answer payroll queries from employees
• Identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies in payroll records 
• Prepare and provide relevant data for external audits
• Support special projects, including process documentation and improvements, system updates, integrations, upgrades, or implementations.
• Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with all key internal stakeholders including HR, Finance and IT, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities between the teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance / Accounting, or a related discipline CIPP (Charted  Institute of Payroll Professionals) qualification preferred  
• The ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience in payroll operations 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, highly organised with an exceptional attention to detail
• Strong knowledge of international payroll regulations, including payroll tax, reporting, and required filings 
• Strong organizational, change management, and execution skills, along with the ability to prioritize and drive multiple tasks simultaneously  
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills  
• Strong excel skills.
• Eagerness to learn and willingness to take on new challenges  
• Experience with process improvement and redesign  
• Experience with Blue Marble or Paylocity a plus.
• Attention to detail and quality of work