Interim EMEA Payroll Manager

Handle are currently working with a hugely popular, global entertainment brand who are looking for an experienced Interim EMEA Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across 12–14 countries (excluding the UK) within a large, multinational organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team of payroll professionals while overseeing the delivery of accurate, compliant payroll through outsourced payroll providers. You'll play a key role in driving payroll transformation, process improvements, and ensuring governance, controls and statutory compliance across multiple EMEA jurisdictions.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Payroll Analysts.
• Oversee end–to–end payroll operations across multiple EMEA countries.
• Manage relationships with external payroll vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, reporting and audit readiness.
• Drive payroll projects, system enhancements and continuous process improvements.
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll and vendor issues.
• Promote best practice, standardisation and operational excellence across the region.

About you:

• Payroll management qualification or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience managing multi–country EMEA payroll within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of EMEA payroll legislation, compliance and payroll governance.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll providers.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and change management skills.
• Exposure to SAP Payroll or similar HRIS/payroll systems is highly desirable.

Handle actively welcomes applicants from under–represented backgrounds – we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.