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 offers the opportunity to lead payroll operations within a global, technology-driven organization supporting international teams. You will act as a payroll subject matter expert, ensuring accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll delivery across your assigned region. The position combines operational expertise, process improvement, stakeholder management, and team mentorship. You will work in a fully remote, asynchronous environment alongside global teams focused on building the future of work. Your expertise will directly contribute to improving payroll experiences for employees and ensuring high-quality operational standards. This is an ideal opportunity for a payroll professional who enjoys solving complex challenges, optimizing processes, and working across international markets.

Accountabilities:: The Payroll Specialist Lead will oversee end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and continuous improvement across payroll processes. This role requires strong ownership, analytical thinking, and the ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders while supporting and developing payroll specialists.

Act as a payroll subject matter expert for the assigned country or region.

Manage end-to-end payroll processing, including statutory requirements, approvals, payments, exceptions, and compliance activities.

Ensure payroll data integrity, accuracy, and quality across all processes.

Manage payroll journals, reconciliations, and reporting activities.

Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) to maintain operational excellence.

Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, increase efficiency, and implement scalable solutions.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders across payroll implementation, finance, product, engineering, and other teams.

Support and mentor payroll specialists, sharing knowledge and best practices.

Provide backup support to regional payroll managers when required.

Contribute to automation and technology-driven improvements within payroll operations.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate is an experienced payroll professional with strong operational knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced international environment. You should be comfortable working independently, improving processes, and collaborating with globally distributed teams.

Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll processing, either in-house or within a payroll service provider environment.

Strong knowledge of payroll best practices, compliance requirements, and operational processes.

Experience managing payroll activities for a specific country or region.

Strong analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving capabilities.

Proficiency with productivity tools such as Excel and Google Workspace.

Ability to identify process improvements and implement more efficient ways of working.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Experience mentoring or supporting payroll team members is highly valued.

Ability to work effectively in an asynchronous, remote, and international environment.

Fluent written and spoken English communication skills.

Experience working remotely is a plus.

Familiarity with AFAS payroll software is considered an advantage.

Benefits:

Fully remote work environment with the flexibility to work from anywhere.

Flexible working hours within an asynchronous culture.

Competitive annual salary range of €57,500–€64,650 EUR.

Flexible paid time off.

16 weeks of paid parental leave.

Mental health support services.

Stock options.

Learning and development budget.

Home office budget and company-provided IT equipment.

Budget for local team events and co-working spaces.

Opportunity to contribute to a global platform shaping the future of work.

Inclusive and international workplace with colleagues across multiple continents.

How Jobgether works: We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!  Why Apply Through Jobgether?    Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.     #LI-CL1