Senior Global Payroll Specialist

About the role

You will own the end to end management of our global payroll systems and controls in this 12 month FTC role. You will partner with our global third party payroll providers and manage our worldwide employers of record to ensure a seamless employee experience. The position sits within a dynamic and energetic finance team, and you will report directly to our Accounting Manager. You will ensure that all payroll, related taxes, and benefits are processed accurately and compliantly. This role requires strong ownership and the ability to streamline complex payroll workflows across multiple jurisdictions. You will be instrumental in driving process efficiency and upholding the highest standards of accuracy for our international team.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Orchestrate the monthly payroll cycles in close collaboration with the People Team to capture and submit all payroll changes accurately and on time.
• Coordinate our global payroll providers and validate that every payroll run has been processed correctly to uphold an optimal Paddle employee experience.
• Ensure all Payroll payments, related taxes, and benefits are included and completed with precision for compliance and employee satisfaction.
• Liaise closely with our Treasury and Banking team to confirm that all payments are released timely and accurately across all regions.
• Capture payroll data through journal entries and reconcile the respective related balance sheet accounts to maintain financial integrity.
• Act as the first point of contact for payroll, pension, 401K, and other related queries, delivering excellent employee experience and support to our Paddlers.
• Continuously look for efficiency in process improvement and implement changes that enhance the payroll function and controls.
• Manage payroll vendors and oversee bi-monthly and monthly payroll processing across international locations spanning 12+ countries.
• Keep track of and submit monthly salary changes, variable compensation, and applicable deductions to local payroll vendors in accordance with local regulations.
• Review payroll reports for accuracy and reconcile any pay data discrepancies or errors swiftly to ensure data reliability.
• Ensure payroll vendors and appropriate parties including People Team and Finance adhere to all critical deadlines without delay.
• Own the end-to-end payroll controls and scalable systems that support our global workforce and regulatory obligations.

Requirements

• You have proven experience managing global, multi-payroll provider relationships across multiple territories.
• You manage stakeholders well and can influence at scale with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• You have experience working with third-party providers in multiple territories, including EOR and PEO models.
• You are passionate about working with people and have an eye for detail that ensures error-free payroll processing.
• You are knowledgeable and have experience with global payroll legislation and taxes across multiple jurisdictions.
• You are proactive and enjoy taking ownership of complex payroll issues and driving them to resolution.
• You hold the right to work in the UK and are able to work hybrid from our UK hub with flexibility for occasional remote work.
• You can commit to the contract duration of 12 months and align with the structured payroll cycles across international locations.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with ACCA Approved Employer learning and development frameworks is advantageous given our partnership.
• Exposure to payroll platforms and automation tools that support global scalability.
• Experience in SaaS environments where payment and payroll infrastructure intersect.

Practical notes

This is a 12 month FTC position based in the UK, with hybrid working arrangements that combine remote work and time in our stylish hubs. The role involves managing payroll across 12+ countries, requiring occasional travel to support treasury, people, and vendor meetings as needed. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. We are committed to making reasonable accommodations to support your needs, and we encourage you to indicate any adjustments that would help you succeed in this position.