EMEA Assistant Payroll Manager

Summary

The Assistant Payroll Manager will provide subject matter expertise and operational leadership for EMEA payroll processing and administration. This India-based role will serve as the primary escalation point for the Chennai payroll team, ensuring accurate and timely processing of multi-country payrolls across 18+ European countries while maintaining compliance with local legislation and internal controls.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: EMEA Payroll Manager

Location: Chennai, India

Team Coverage: Bank holiday coverage on a rotational basis with other team members

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as first point of escalation for the EMEA payroll team, providing guidance and resolution for complex payroll queries and issues

• Oversee and ensure timely, accurate processing of payrolls across multiple EMEA countries in compliance with local legislation and company policies

• Manage relationships with third-party vendors and payroll providers including Deel and local payroll providers across EMEA

• Support audit and compliance activities, including preparation of documentation, controls evidence, and coordination with auditors, tax agencies and payroll providers for sign off from EMEA Payroll Manager

• Drive process improvement initiatives across the payroll function, identifying automation opportunities and implementing best practices

• Support the development, execution, and monitoring of internal controls and payroll governance frameworks

• Provide coaching, guidance, and professional development support to team members on payroll processes, procedures, and country-specific requirements

• Ensure confidential data storage, data integrity, and compliance with data protection regulations across all payroll systems

• Review and approve payroll data before processing to ensure accuracy and completeness

• Deputise for operational payroll delivery in the absence of the EMEA Payroll Manager

• Maintain detailed documentation of processes, procedures, and compliance requirements across all EMEA countries

• Foster teamwork and collaboration within the global HR & Payroll teams, maintaining professional relationships across time zones

• Provide coverage during Indian public holidays as part of a rotational schedule to ensure continuous service delivery

Essential Requirements

• Demonstrable expertise in payroll function, processes, and understanding of complexities across multiple jurisdictions
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including complex formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and reporting (essential core competency)
• Knowledge and practical experience of multi-country payroll processing, particularly European markets
• Strong third-party vendor management experience with ability to build and maintain professional relationships
• Experience in audit and compliance activities, including working with external auditors and regulatory authorities
• Proven process improvement mindset with demonstrated ability to identify and implement operational efficiencies
• Strong analytical and data reporting skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Leadership skills with ability to provide guidance and professional support to team members
• Excellent communication skills with ability to manage multiple stakeholders across different time zones
• Continuous improvement mindset with professional manner and flexible, can-do attitude

Desirable Requirements

• Working knowledge of Oracle HCM Cloud or similar enterprise payroll systems

• Experience with automation tools and process digitalisation initiatives

• Proven ability to research and understand payroll tax requirements across multiple jurisdictions

• Familiarity with payroll resources and best practices

• Experience working in a multi-organisational, matrixed environment

• Understanding of organisational dynamics and change management

• Experience supporting payroll system implementations and provider transitions

Additional Information

This role requires flexibility to provide coverage during Indian public holidays on a rotational basis to ensure continuous service delivery across EMEA time zones.

This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the designated role, but other duties may be assigned from time to time as business requirements evolve.

GP Strategies Corporation is one of the world's leading talent transformation providers. By delivering award-winning learning and development solutions, we help organizations transform through their people and achieve meaningful change. GP Strategies has delivered our innovative consulting, learning services, and talent technology solutions to over 6,000 organizations globally.

From our global experience working across thousands of projects and initiatives over the past 55 years, we've learned that relationships, business, work, innovation, strategy, and transformation are all about people. And, to put it simply, GP Strategies is about our people - an extensive global network of learning experts. Additional information can be found at www.gpstrategies.com.

With more than 4000 employees in over 30 countries, diversity at GP Strategies is second nature! Beyond our locations, our culture focuses on performance and revolves around respect, fairness, and working collaboratively to achieve our goals. We support our People, no matter who they are or where they are from, because we all have valuable and unique perspectives and approaches. That's how great ideas are born, which enable us to work smarter.

GP Strategies is committed and proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other federally protected class.