Payroll Systems Specialist

Role Overview

The Payroll Systems Specialist delivers and improves the systems that support global payroll. The role coordinates new-country implementations and internal payroll and T&A system migrations, develops integrations and automation, and supports the selection and deployment of technological solutions supporting the team. It connects Payroll, People systems, Finance and Technology partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Support planning and delivering payroll-system implementations for new countries and migrations for existing payrolls.

• Translate payroll and compliance requirements into configuration, data mappings, workflows and control requirements.

• Coordinate data preparation, validation, user acceptance testing, cutover and post-launch stabilisation.

• Design and maintain integrations between payroll, HR and Finance teams/systems using secure files, APIs or middleware.

• Manage system defects, vendor escalations, release impacts and the prioritised payroll-systems roadmap.

• Maintain data-quality checks, access controls, change documentation and evidence needed for audit-ready processes.

• Identify and deliver automation opportunities that reduce manual work, improve control and make payroll operations more scalable.

• Support the assessment and deployment of third-party systems, including requirements, testing and operational handover.

• Create system documentation and training materials for users.

• Leverage existing systems, tools and AI to develop independent process workflows.

Key Qualifications & Experience

Must-have requirements:

• 5 or more years of experience in payroll systems, payroll technology or payroll implementation work.

• Strong understanding of end-to-end payroll processes and the data needed for multi-country payroll.

• Experience with requirements, configuration, data migration, testing, cutover and post-launch support.

• Working knowledge of system integrations, including APIs, secure file interfaces and data mapping.

• Ability to manage multiple workstreams, vendors, dependencies and delivery deadlines.

• Strong analytical and spreadsheet skills, with careful handling of sensitive employee data.

• Clear communication with payroll specialists, People teams, Finance, engineers and external providers.

Preferred qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with payroll system implementations or migrations.

• Experience with HRIS and ERP integrations, payroll accounting interfaces or identity and access controls.

• Basic SQL, API troubleshooting or low-code automation experience.

Competencies & Behavioural Traits

• Structured delivery with clear ownership of requirements, decisions and open issues.

• Curiosity about how payroll processes and system behaviour interact.

• Practical problem solving and early escalation of delivery or control risks.

• Careful testing and documentation before production changes.

• Collaborative communication across operational and technical teams.