Gowan Company
Regional Payroll Specialist
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Role Purpose
The Regional Payroll Specialist is responsible for owning the operational delivery, financial integrity, and statutory compliance of payroll across EMEA, the UK, and designated APAC entities. Working closely with HR, Finance, and outsourced payroll providers, the role ensures payroll operations are delivered accurately, compliantly, and on time while maintaining strong financial controls, supporting month-end close activities, and driving continuous improvement across regional payroll processes. The role combines payroll expertise with financial analysis, governance, and business partnering to support the wider Finance organization.
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for a proactive, analytical, and commercially-minded payroll professional who combines strong technical payroll expertise with financial acumen and a passion for operational excellence. The successful candidate will take ownership, build trusted relationships, and continuously improve payroll processes across a multi-country environment.
Role Scope
- Regional payroll operations across EMEA, the UK, and designated APAC entities
- Payroll accounting and financial reporting
- HMRC statutory compliance
- ADP and outsourced payroll provider management
- Payroll governance, controls, and audit readiness
- Payroll transformation and continuous improvement
- Payroll master data governance and integrity
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Accountabilities
Operational Excellence: Own the end-to-end payroll lifecycle, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll delivery.
Financial Stewardship: Own payroll journals, accruals, balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis, budgeting support, payroll-related intercompany cross-charges, and ensure timely resolution of reconciling items.
Governance & Regulatory Compliance: Manage PAYE, National Insurance, pensions, P11D, PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSA), statutory tax payments, payroll tax reconciliations, and maintain a robust internal control environment, ensuring compliance with company policies, approval workflows, segregation of duties, and regulatory requirements.
Business Partnership: Partner with HR, Finance, business leaders, and outsourced providers while coordinating bonus administration.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Continuous Improvement: Drive automation, standardization, SOP ownership, payroll system enhancements, acquisitions, onboarding activities, and support Finance transformation initiatives related to payroll processes and reporting.
Performance & Analytics: Develop and monitor payroll KPIs, payroll provider performance, payroll accuracy metrics, reconciliation status, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum 5 years' multi-country payroll experience
- Strong UK payroll and HMRC knowledge
- Experience with outsourced payroll providers (e.g., ADP)
- Payroll accounting, journals, and reconciliations
- Advanced Microsoft Excel
- ERP experience, preferably JD Edwards
- Experience working within a multinational organization
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Desirable
- CIPP qualification (or working towards)
- AAT qualification or equivalent
- EMEA payroll experience
- JD Edwards experience
- Payroll transformation experience
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills