Global Payroll Manager - Europe

Global Payroll Manager-Europe Vaco Highspring is recruiting exclusively on behalf of a well established Fortune 500 enterprise organisation.

Role Location Work Arrangement:

On site in Madrid (within Madrid city limits). Confidentiality Notice:

Exact office location to be disclosed at shortlist stage only

Eligibility & Engagement Criteria This position requires regular physical presence in the office and is not designed as a remote or hybrid role Applicants must already be locally based within a reasonable commuting distance Candidates must possess the legal, unrestricted right to work in Spain The organization does not provide visa sponsorship either now or in the future This opportunity is offered on a permanent, direct-employment basis (no contract-to-hire, umbrella or third-party arrangements)

Remuneration Base Salary:

Annual base salary: €77,000 Annual Bonus:

15% target

Position Summary This role sits within the European payroll function of a

globally scaled enterprise , supporting pay operations across multiple jurisdictions for a workforce numbering in the

several thousand range . The organisation has recently completed significant payroll systems and operating model changes. As a result, this role is focused on

embedding stability, reinforcing controls, and ensuring consistent operational delivery , rather than driving further transformation. The Senior Manager will serve as a

hands on operational leader , working closely with cross functional partners and external payroll providers to ensure timely, compliant, and accurate payroll execution across a diverse European footprint.

Functional Scope Provides operational ownership for

multi jurisdictional payroll delivery across Europe Acts as a stabilising presence following enterprise wide payroll and systems change initiatives Ensures standardised processes, controls, and governance frameworks are consistently applied Maintains close involvement in payroll execution, issue resolution, and country specific nuances Oversees service delivery performance across

multiple external payroll partners Partners with HR, Finance, Tax, and Legal stakeholders to support ongoing business requirements Supports audit readiness through documentation, process adherence, and data integrity Leads and develops a

geographically distributed payroll team , promoting accountability and continuity

Geographic Coverage Payroll operations span a

varied European landscape , encompassing: Northern European jurisdictions Southern European markets Western European countries Smaller EU locations with heightened regulatory complexity Specific country detail will be shared later in the interview process.

Operating Environment & Scale Employee population:

High volume, enterprise scale workforce (multiple thousands) Territory:

Europe (multi country scope) Delivery Model:

Outsourced payroll partners supported by enterprise payroll technology Context:

Post implementation / post restructuring operational environment

Experience Profile Minimum

6 years' experience

within payroll operations, including responsibility for

multi country or regionally complex environments Experience managing payroll for multi-thousand employee workforce accross a minimum of 3 countries in Europe Demonstrated exposure to enterprise payroll organisations following

system implementations or operating model redesigns Multiple years of people management experience of payroll teams, prior people management or team coordination experience within payroll Academic background in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline Professional payroll certification advantageous (UK, regional, or international equivalents acceptable)

Capability Requirements Strong working knowledge of

European statutory payroll obligations , including labour and tax considerations Comfort operating as a

detail oriented, execution focused manager , not solely a strategic overseer Ability to support, coach, and maintain performance across distributed teams Experience managing

vendor led payroll delivery models Highly developed organisational and analytical skills with strong attention to accuracy Clear, professional communicator across functions and regions Familiarity with enterprise payroll systems, integrations, and upstream/downstream data flows Proven ability to operate effectively within

complex, matrixed global organisations Track record demonstrating

consistency, role stability, and sustained operational ownership

Opportunity Context This position offers the chance to contribute meaningfully to the

long term stability and effectiveness of a well-established European payroll function

within a globally recognised enterprise, with emphasis on

execution excellence, governance, and reliability

rather than ongoing transformation. Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.