Senior Client Payroll Specialist

Senior Client Payroll Specialist

Madrid – Hybrid model

Mon-Fri

Purpose of the Role

The Payroll Senior is responsible for leading end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, compliance with local regulations, and continuous improvement of payroll procedures. This role acts as a subject matter expert, supports audits, mentors junior team members, and partners with HR, Finance, and external providers. The Payroll Senior will manage a portfolio of clients independently, taking full ownership of their payroll processes.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Manage and execute full‑cycle payroll processing for monthly payrolls.
• Validate timekeeping data, variable compensation, payments in kind, overtime, bonuses, and deductions.
• Review payroll calculations to ensure accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Coordinate with clients and Global Payroll team to ensure employee data changes (hires, terminations, promotions, leaves) are correctly reflected in payroll systems.
• Oversee payroll adjustments, retroactive payments, and off‑cycle payrolls.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure payroll practices comply with labor laws, tax regulations, social security, and internal policies.
• Prepare and submit statutory filings, tax declarations, and year‑end reporting.
• Maintain audit‑ready documentation and support internal/external audits.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update payroll processes accordingly.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Act as a key user for payroll systems (A3NOM, SAP, Workday, Meta4, Sage, etc.).
• Identify process inefficiencies and lead automation or optimization initiatives.
• Collaborate with vendors to resolve system issues and implement enhancements.
• Maintain payroll controls and ensure data integrity.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll queries from employees or managers.
• Partner with Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations, and month‑end close.
• Coordinate with external payroll providers (if applicable) to ensure service quality.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and support junior payroll specialists.
• Provide training on payroll processes, tools, and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to workload planning and team performance improvement.

Required Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, tax rules, and social security (adaptable to Spain or other countries as needed).
• Advanced proficiency in payroll systems (A3 NOM preferred).
• Solid understanding of accounting principles related to payroll.
• High proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Experience

• 5–10 years of progressive experience in payroll operations.
• Experience managing complex payrolls (multi‑country, high‑volume, payments in kind, or shadow payrolls).
• Prior experience reviewing or supervising payroll work.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage deadlines and work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Integrity and respect for confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with international payroll or shared‑service environments.
• Knowledge of complementary HR areas (benefits, compensation, time & attendance).
• Fluency in Spanish and English or additional languages.
• Payroll certifications (e.g., CPP, CIPP, or local equivalents).

Typical KPIs

• Payroll accuracy rate.
• On‑time payroll delivery.
• Compliance audit results.
• Employee query resolution time.
• Process improvement initiatives completed.