Director, EMEA Payroll

The EMEA Regional Head of Payroll will be responsible for managing the delivery of payroll services in EMEA, in a way that balances required service levels to employees, high level of statutory compliance and effective cost management of the function. This includes working with the Global Head of Payroll to engage with vendors and ensure they are performing in accordance with agreed upon Service Level Agreements and providing oversight of the EMEA payroll staff and the vendor operations teams to deliver payroll timely and accurately. The regional head will be responsible for ensuring that the internal and external teams understand the transactions impacting payroll. To do this successfully, the regional head must have a strong technical background in Payroll, including a working knowledge of accounting and employment tax matters, internal controls and project management. They must be able to manage the impact on Payroll resulting from the Firm’s Business agenda due on acquisitions, new country expansion, changes in statutory rules, the year end processes, and other related standard and special activities.

Specific Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assist Payroll leadership in devising the EMEA payroll strategy, including organizational structure, and flexing the delivery model to keep pace with the growth of the firm.
• Oversee the payroll operations in all EMEA countries where WeWork operates, coordinating with the vendors and the internal team to deliver pay accurately, timely, effectively, within all regulatory, labor and tax guidelines.
• Oversee the control structure of the Payroll area such that there are no material breaks in terms of inappropriate payments being made, proper taxation and payments occurring, and all tax reporting done timely.
• Regularly review, test, document and update payroll controls. Develop a strong team that can manage operational risk, deliver customer service, and manage the vendor relationships to deliver payroll effectively across the region.
• Meet regularly with vendor to review performance and explore potential for improvement/enhancement of operations.
• Develop and manage to operational metrics that indicate operational optimization and are within the vendors’ SLAs.
• Oversee the various internal and external audits and examinations, including internal audit, tax audits, etc.
• Advise and work closely with HR on regional initiatives ensuring they are rolled out with a coordinated effort between the teams.
• Partner with Technology team to develop system interfaces, reports, and processes that reduce operational risk and increase efficiency.
• Maintain strong and productive relationships with HR, including Benefits, Global Mobility, Coverage, Finance, Shared Services, and other internal stakeholders and partners.
• Lead team through acquisitions and expansion initiatives, such that there are minimum, Day 2 issues and no compliance failures.

Skills Required:

• Strong functional Payroll knowledge and extensive experience in a large payroll department, at least 5 of which include managing a regional team.
• Knowledge of withholding tax, related tax filings, tax policy and employment regulations as they relate to reporting in countries where we operate.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, ability to understand impact of payroll activity on financial statements and effectively partner with Finance in analyzing and explaining P&L and Balance sheet variances.
• Experience in designing, implementing and reviewing internal controls aimed at reducing operational risk.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams and vendors.
• Ability to effectively manage vendors, ensuring adherence to Service Level Agreements.
• Strong client service mentality; ability to develop strong working relationships with team, internal partners, stakeholders, and vendors to deliver high quality service.
• Ability to handle numerous priorities in a dynamic and growing environment.
• College degree required.