Payroll Manager

Are you looking for a new opportunity in a fast-moving global company with a family feel? A job where you could have an impact?

We are looking for a Payroll Manager to join our growing HR team based in Wavre, Belgium.

In this key role you will be responsible for overseeing and driving payroll procedures and benefits administration, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and payroll tax obligations, and lead, coach and develop the Payroll team in Europe and Canada.

You will work with the Payroll team (managing 3 people) and the external vendors to make sure that payroll deadlines are reached, calculations are correct, employees are paid correctly and on time, social & fiscal declarations and payments are done in a timely manner, reports are provided to the Finance department with the highest level of accuracy and in a timely manner and that benefits are properly administered. Our ultimate goal is to maintain compliance, streamline payroll procedures for efficiency, and stay updated with current regulations and best practices.

The Payroll Manager reports to the HR Operations Director and works closely with the Recruitment and Finance teams as well as the rest of the HR Administration team.

Tasks and Activities

The scope of work will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the Payroll team, managing the day to day payroll activities in Europe and Canada.
• Driving the timely and correct processing (inputs/outputs) of the international payrolls via a third-party administrator. This includes also setting up payroll services in new countries as required.
• Managing vendor relationship and negotiates contracts with external partners.
• Acting as a subject matter expert in fields related to international mobility and salary splits. Ensuring a correct payroll set-up in relation to expatriate assignments in conjunction with local tax experts. This applies to international transfers, assignments and simultaneous working setups.
• Taking ownership of payroll related activities such as onboarding/offboarding procedures, social documents, educational leave, time credit, absence and overtime tracking.
• Ensuring compliance with law and internal policies.
• Maintaining accurate and updated data/files. Additionally, ensuring all changes are appropriately documented through Hiring Approval Forms or other support documents.
• Assisting employees with payroll related questions as well as social legislation matters at a European level.
• Maintaining benefits administration of benefit programmes such as insurances, meal vouchers, healthcare and pension schemes, ensuring timely and accurate monthly benefits enrolment, employee changes and discontinuation upon separation.
• Leading and participating in key HR projects.
• Working closely with the Finance team for the monitoring of the monthly payroll figures.
• Monitoring, maintaining and improving the payroll processes for all financial and ISO certifications related audits. Liaising with auditors for payroll tax audits, collaborating with HR and accounting teams.

Skills and Experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Law or Human Resources or equivalent experience.
• At least 5-10 years of payroll management experience in an international context, preferably in a leading role.
• Current knowledge of payroll procedures and related laws, ideally at European level. Excellent understanding of multi-location payroll and taxes, global mobility and salary-splits set-ups.
• Excellent communication skills in English and French, both written and spoken, including the ability to respond effectively to questions from groups of employees and managers.
• Ability to deal with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including external vendors, requiring a high level of assertiveness and diplomacy. Ability to build relationships and nurture partnerships in a constructive way.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decisions, with an eye for detail.
• Computer software knowledge, including payroll softwares, database and spreadsheet applications to produce various reports.
• Excellent Excel skills.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Ability to lead, coach, energize and develop a team of HR professionals through ambiguity, uncertainty and complexity. Strong emotional intelligence.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion, integrity and diplomacy.
• Service excellence driven and a passion for HR.
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• Flexibility in adapting to a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Willing to travel in Europe when required.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• Knowledge of another European language.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within a major institution.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; personalized training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, all genders, LGBTQ+ individuals and ex-service personnel.