Global Payroll Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking an experienced Global Payroll Manager based in Stockholm to develop and implement the global payroll strategy across Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Malta, Colombia, Poland, the UK, Gibraltar, and the USA. This is both a strategic and hands-on operational leadership role. The successful candidate will develop a professional global payroll function, create the operating model, strengthen governance and controls, and ensure payroll is scalable, compliant and aligned with HR and Finance in a large global company. Alongside developing and implementing the global payroll strategy, the role will provide hands-on operational oversight of payroll delivery across all countries in scope, including direct payroll delivery for Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The role will also review payroll vendors, oversee HR Payroll Coordinators, own global payroll reporting and data governance, and deliver accurate, compliant, and insight-led payroll across a complex international environment. YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR: Global Payroll Operations: Lead timely, compliant end-to-end payroll across 12 countries (including the Americas and Europe), maintaining hands-on delivery for Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. Operating Model & Governance: Establish a standardized global operating model with clear payroll calendars, approval workflows, documentation, and senior escalation protocols. Assurance & Controls: Design and embed a robust payroll assurance framework covering variance analysis, data reconciliations, exception reporting, and control testing. Compliance & Audit Ownership: Ensure strict compliance with local tax, pension, and statutory laws; monitor regulatory changes and lead all payroll audits and year-end processes. Vendor Governance: Own international vendor performance, managing service level agreements (SLAs), compliance obligations, issue resolution, and operational handoffs with HR and Finance. Data Integrity & Architecture: Maintain the global payroll data dictionary ensuring consistency and system integrations across HR, finance, and vendor platforms to safeguard data quality. Strategic Reporting & Insights: Own global reporting on payroll costs, headcount, and FTEs to drive variance analysis, budgeting, and workforce planning for senior leadership. Function Build & Transformation: Modernize and scale the global payroll function by harmonizing cross-border workflows, driving automation, and supporting vendor or system transitions. OUR SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING: ESSENTIAL SKILLS Senior Payroll Leadership: Significant experience of complex, multi-country payroll functions in a global matrix organization. Function Build & Governance: Proven track record of designing global operating models, establishing controls, documenting workflows, and driving continuous improvement. Multi-Jurisdictional Compliance: Deep technical expertise in payroll assurance, statutory tax, pensions, social security, and audit readiness across multiple countries. Vendor Management: Strong experience managing international payroll vendors, enforcing SLAs, resolving escalations, and ensuring compliant delivery. Stakeholder Influence: Ability to build credibility and influence cross-functional stakeholders, including HR, Finance, Legal, and senior leadership. Data & Analytics Capability: Advanced capability in managing global payroll data dictionaries, pay codes, payroll cost reporting, variance analysis, and FTE/headcount dashboards. Systems Proficiency: Advanced Excel skills and hands-on experience utilizing HRIS and payroll platforms to align processes between HR and Finance. Diligence & Professional Judgment: High level of confidentiality and attention to detail, with the confidence to rigorously challenge vendor outputs and control weaknesses. NICE TO HAVES Experience with payroll transformation, vendor transitions, or payroll system integration. Experience of global mobility, international assignme…