Payroll Specialist Lead

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Payroll Specialist Lead based in Spain.

This role sits at the heart of a global payroll operations environment, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery across complex international frameworks.
You will act as a key subject matter expert, guiding payroll execution while maintaining high standards of data integrity and operational excellence.
The position combines hands-on payroll processing with strategic oversight, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
You will work closely with finance, product, and engineering stakeholders to continuously enhance payroll systems and workflows.
This is a highly impactful role where your expertise directly shapes employee experience and operational reliability.
You will thrive in a fast-paced, distributed, and fully remote-first environment built on autonomy, ownership, and continuous improvement.

• Lead end-to-end payroll processing activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution across all statutory requirements, approvals, and payments.
• Act as a subject matter expert for payroll operations, supporting stakeholders across finance, implementation, product, and engineering teams.
• Ensure high data integrity across payroll systems, including validation, reconciliation, payroll journals, and exception handling.
• Monitor and improve KPIs and SLAs, driving operational excellence and consistency in payroll delivery.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and best practices to enhance efficiency.
• Support and mentor payroll specialists, providing guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Act as a backup for regional payroll leadership when required and contribute to cross-functional initiatives.

Requirements:

• Strong experience in end-to-end payroll processing, either in-house or via a payroll service provider, ideally within an international environment.
• Solid understanding of payroll principles, compliance requirements, and statutory reporting obligations.
• Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets and ability to manage large datasets with accuracy.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working with payroll systems and tools; familiarity with automation or process optimisation is a plus.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across global, cross-functional teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, remote, and asynchronous work environment.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and spoken.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range: €35,900 – €40,400 EUR
• Work from anywhere with fully remote flexibility
• Flexible working hours in an async-first environment
• Flexible paid time off policy
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• Mental health and wellbeing support services
• Stock options and learning budget
• Home office allowance and IT equipment provided
• Budget for co-working spaces or local team events
• Strong focus on autonomy, ownership, and work-life balance